With the goal of empowering the next generation of Latino leaders in the field of public relations and communications, The Hispanic Public Relations Association announced  announced a new board and expansions to its local chapters, including student chapters. The hope is to reach more prospective student leaders and more communities in the process.

Sonia V. Díaz, president of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), noted:

Over the past two years, HPRA has seen incredible growth throughout all levels of the organization and has been fielding an overwhelming demand for Hispanic talent in our field.

The new board of directors

The HPRA 2023/25 Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of communication leaders from agencies, corporations, government, education, and nonprofit organizations in the consumer and business-to-business sectors.

The new leaders are:

1. Sonia V. Diaz, Zaid Communications, president
2. Jaime Rojas, Jr., Rojas Communications Group, president-elect
3. Elia Verduzco, Orange County Transportation Authority, treasurer
4. Vanessa Gonzales, PR and Corporate Communications Consultant, secretary
5. Andy Checo, d’exposito & Partners, ¡Bravo! Awards committee chair
6. Brenda Mendoza, Guardian, ¡Bravo! Awards committee co-chair
7. Carla Santiago, Edelman Miami, director-at-large
8. Darcy Brito, Aflac, director-at-large
9. Erika Gonzalez, WE Communications director-at-large
10. Gorki De Los Santos, LinkedIn, programming chair
11. Jennifer Morales, Amazon Music, mentorship and student programs co-chair
12. Julie Jimenez-Padron, rbb Communications, director-at-large
13. Mario Flores, Sportivo, director-at-large
14. Natalie Asorey, University of Florida, mentorship and student programs chair
15. Oscar Suris, Edelman New York, director-at-large

“We are proud to welcome our new board members and look forward to working together to meet the needs of the industry and ensure increased representation while fostering the next generation of Latino talent,” added Díaz.

Get to know: HPRA

Founded in 1984, HPRA is dedicated to advancing Latinos in the industry by offering year-round professional development and networking programs.

Serving as the voice of Hispanic communications professionals, HPRA's national and local chapters work with brands, agencies and industry partners to offer its members access to leading journalists and executives, and opportunities in thought leadership.

The HPRA also provides racially diverse students with access to scholarships in communication disciplines and the opportunity to receive mentoring and professional experiences that will help them excel and succeed in the workforce.

HPRA currently operates in five markets, including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Texas and, its most recent chapter in Silicon Valley — the Bay Area's first organization of its kind, where Latinos make up 29% of the population.

Presidents of local HPRA chapters include:

• Los Angeles – Maxine Enciso, Ketchum
• Miami – Mike Hernández, LSN
• New York – Erika Sanchez, Braid Communications
• Orange County – Sandra Bernardo, Experian
• Silicon Valley – Vanessa Gonzales, Sr. Corporate Communications Consultant
• Texas – Audrey Ponzio, APC Collective

Other additions to the network include new student chapters at Hofstra University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Texas-Austin.