Meet our ohana: Amy Hennessey, APR

Dec 08, 2020

If you’ve ever worked with Ulupono Initiative, chances are you’ve encountered Amy Hennessey’s ever-present smile. Behind it is a determination to build and strengthen relationships with focus-area leaders and other internal and external partners who share Ulupono vision for a sustainable, resilient Hawaii.

A member of Ulupono Initiative’s management team, Amy serves as Ulupono Initiative’s senior vice president of communications and external affairs, providing strategic counsel to the organization’s internal team and external partners. She oversees all areas of strategic marketing and communications, government affairs, and community partnerships in support of achieving Ulupono’s mission-driven goals and objectives.

“It is extremely gratifying to know the work we are doing will have a positive impact on the lives of our friends and neighbors,” Amy said. “While the work can be challenging, I’ve been able to collaborate with wonderful people throughout the state who share our vision for a more self-sufficient place to live.”

Amy has lectured at the University of Hawaii at Manoa – where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations – and has more than 20 years of career experience in corporate, nonprofit and agency public relations. She is an accredited member (APR) of the Hawaii chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Hawaii) and has served as professional advisor to the UH Manoa chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America since 2002. Amy holds the distinction of being a member of Pacific Business News’ Forty Under 40 class of 2007 and a 2008 Pacific Century Fellow. She was also named PRSA Hawaii’s 2012 PR Person of the Year and a Woman to Watch in Pacific Business News’ 2015 Women Who Mean Business awards.

Amy actively supports her belief in the importance of access to education and healthy communities through her service on the board of directors for Helping Hands Hawaii and the University of Hawaii Alumni Association, as well as serving on the Regents Candidate Advisory Council and a co-organizer for the annual Manoa Forum.

Few know that one of Amy’s hobbies is collecting cow memorabilia. Her collection includes several milk bottles from former Hawaii dairy operations.

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‘Find your path’ advises UH Mānoa alum Hennessey (UH Alumni Association)