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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

As a Latino and first-generation professional, I know what it means to enter rooms without a roadmap, to question whether you belong while still believing in what could be possible. Along the way, people opened doors for me. They encouraged me, believed in me, and reminded me that where you come from does not define how far you can go. Those experiences shaped how I see leadership and my role within OCPRSA. 

Influence is not simply about having a voice. It is about what we choose to do with it.

As communicators, we have the ability to shape stories, build trust, elevate voices, and create opportunities. But our greatest impact is not only what we accomplish, it is what becomes possible because we chose to use our influence with intention.

Who did we bring into the room?

Whose voice did we amplify?

What door did we open for someone else?

As President of OCPRSA, I want to help build a community where people can grow, connect, lead, and know they have a place at the table. Because someone opened a door for each of us.

We are currently looking for passionate communicators to join the 2027 OCPRSA Board of Directors. If you are ready to give back, build community, and help shape the future of our chapter, I invite you to consider stepping into leadership with us. Email me at FloresAlexisla@gmail.com.

Con orgullo,

Alexis Flores
President, Orange County PRSA

THE 2026 PROTOS AWARDS IS SOLD OUT

Next Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 6 - 10 p.m.

Orange Hill Restaurant

GOLDEN HORIZON:
WHERE INFLUENCE MEETS INTENTION

We're thrilled to announce that the 2026 OCPRSA PROTOS Awards gala is SOLD OUT, bringing together Orange County’s public relations, communications, marketing and media community for an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and work shaping our industry.

This year’s PROTOS Awards embody that spirit with our guiding message: where influence meets intention.

ABC7 LOS ANGELES GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER BIANCA BUONO TO HOST 2026 PROTOS AWARDS


We are excited to welcome Bianca Buono as the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s PROTOS Awards.

A general assignment reporter based in Orange County for Eyewitness News, Bianca joined ABC7 Los Angeles in December 2025. Prior to joining KABC-TV, she reported at KPNX in Phoenix, where she earned multiple Emmy Awards for her investigative, feature and sports reporting. 

A San Diego native, Bianca went on to attend Emerson College in Boston, where she earned her degree in Broadcast Journalism. Her passion for storytelling extends well beyond the newsroom. When she is not reporting, Bianca enjoys exploring Orange County’s beaches, paddle boarding, hiking, yoga and cheering on her favorite sports, from Formula 1 to football.

With her experience telling stories that inform, connect and inspire, we are excited to have Bianca guide us through an evening celebrating the very best of Orange County’s communications community.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 PROTOS SPONSORS

We are proud to recognize our 2026 PROTOS sponsors:

GOLDEN LIGHT SPONSOR

RADIANCE SPONSORS

EMBER SPONSOR

Thank you to each of our sponsors for helping us bring this year’s PROTOS Awards to life and for supporting OCPRSA’s continued commitment to recognizing excellence, building community and elevating the communications profession.

THE GOLDEN HORIZON AWAITS


To everyone joining us on September 24: thank you for being part of this year's PROTOS Awards.

To those who secured a seat, we cannot wait to celebrate with you and more information to come. 

And to everyone in our OCPRSA community, thank you for helping make this year's celebration possible. PROTOS is more than an awards gala, it is a reflection of the people, ideas and influence that continue to move our profession forward.

We’ll see you at the Golden Horizon.

OCPRSA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2026


CARLA CRUZ

Senior Director of Communications
Segerstrom Center for the Arts

1. Tell us a little about your career journey and what led you to your current role as Senior Director of Communications at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

My career has always centered on storytelling, media, culture, and connecting

organizations with the audiences they serve. I began my career in Spanish language media, helping launch Hoy, the Spanish-language daily newspaper affiliated with the Los Angeles Times. I later served as Marketing Manager at Univision Television, where I developed brand identity and launch strategies for five Spanish-language cable networks in the United States and internationally.

I then joined Loyola Marymount University as Assistant Director, developing marketing and communication engagement strategies for alumni communities, including Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and global alumni audiences. Those experiences strengthened my understanding of how thoughtful communications can build connections across diverse communities.

During the pandemic, I often drove from Los Angeles to Orange County and spent time at some of its beautiful beaches, especially Laguna Beach. I found myself imagining a future in Orange County and wondering how I could contribute. I put that intention into the universe, and it manifested into an amazing opportunity to join Segerstrom Center for the Arts. I recently celebrated my fifth anniversary with the Center.

PRSA is proud to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15. We honor the histories, cultures and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.