The Hispanic Public Relations Association announced Tuesday the launch of an Orange County chapter.
HPRA was established in Los Angeles in 1984 to serve the burgeoning local population of Hispanic market practitioners.
HPRA OC is the organization’s fifth regional chapter. The others are in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and the Carolinas.
The new chapter’s Executive Board of Directors includes President Sandra Bernardo, senior communications manager at Experian; Vice President Lizz Mishreki, director of public relations at Concordia University Irvine; Secretary Gladys Hernandez, director of marketing and advocacy at Habitat for Humanity of Orange County; and Treasurer Betty Franco Martinez, an account executive at FSB Public Affairs.
“Our chapter is here to advance the large cohort of Hispanic communications professionals in Orange County and lead the conversation about the Hispanic market — where culture, community and communications intersect,” Bernardo said. “We want to help organizations and communications professionals stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive, which requires understanding of the evolving demographic landscape.
“Whether members are Hispanic, work with the Hispanic market or serve the Hispanic community, HPRA OC will equip members to lead sound communication strategies — for internal or external audiences–that reflect today’s diverse nation,” she said.
HPRA National President Andy Checo said California “has great potential for wide expansion of HPRA, and another chapter in the Southern California region is an excellent fit for our national organization.”
“Orange County is home to major brands, as well as many public relations and advertising agencies that serve the U.S. Hispanic market, so we believe the OC chapter is positioned to thrive,” he said.
HPRA OC’s first “road show” event, for professionals to meet the Board of Directors and learn about member benefits and volunteer opportunities, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Anaheim at FSB Public Affairs, 2099 S. State College Blvd., Suite 630. Registration is required at evite.me/11M9GWWSvU.
To join HPRA OC, visit www.hpra-usa.org.