Sonia Aranza top
Opening Keynote Speaker
Contact Info
Ph: (703) 660-9258
Email: Sonia@SoniaAranza.com
Website: www.soniaaranza.com
Sonia Aranza was recently chosen in a nationwide search as one of the "100 Most Influential Filipina Women" in the United States by the Filipina Women's Network. She is part of a prestigious list of women making a difference in the lives and careers of others. The U.S. Department of Labor described Ms. Aranza's work as "outstanding." She is an award-winning Keynote Speaker, Master Facilitator and Global Consultant specializing in Leadership, Diversity Competitive Advantage and Cross Cultural Communications. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies and top organizations such as Coca-Cola, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, NASA, Sodexho, Southern Nuclear, State Farm Insurance, Texaco, United States Postal Service, United States Social Security Administration, Verizon and many more.
Prior to establishing a full time consulting practice, Ms. Aranza provided over a decade of service as a Professional Staff Member in local, state and federal government. She was Director of Constituent Relations for Congressman Neil Abercrombie (Hawaii) on Capitol Hill where she tracked legislation, legislative concerns and represented the Congressman at public events for over six years.
Ms. Aranza earned two Masters degrees: an M.A. in Cross-Cultural Communication from the University of Hawaii
and an M.A. in Public Communication from the American University in Washington, DC. She was an International Exchange Student to Russia while the region was still the Soviet Union . She received a B.A. in Communication from the University of Hawaii and earned professional certifications from cutting-edge programs across the country.
Ms. Aranza was born in the Philippines, raised in Hawaii and traveled throughout the world including Russia, China, India, South America, various countries in Asia and over twelve European countries. She is a Board Member of Mass Mutual Company's Women's Advisory Board, Board Member of the Women's Community Action League past Board Member of the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership, past Board Member of the National Capital Speakers Association and is the current National Diversity Co-Chairperson of the National Speakers Association.
Ms. Aranza has received several awards for her work and has been featured in local, national and international publications including a volume of "Outstanding Women in America" and the cover of Filipinas Magazine. In 2002, The National Association of Professional Asian American Women selected Ms. Aranza as "Outstanding Woman of the Year."
Audience Reviews
"Hearing you speak changed the outlook of the participants. Your personal and unique approaches are exceptional and effective. Your content was rich and informative. Thank you for an outstanding presentation."
IBM
Ms. Sheila Forte, Manager of Multi-Cultural Programs
"It was obvious from the standing ovation that many were touched and energized by your words of inspiration from the heart. Your powerful message renewed people's sense of purpose and enthusiasm. You are an outstanding and accomplished speaker and we were privileged to have you."
U.S. Department of Labor
Ms. Annabelle Lockhart, Director of Civil Rights
Francis Tanglao-Aguas top
Closing Keynote Speaker
Contact Info
Email: fjtang@wm.edu
Website: http://pinoyarts.blogspot.com
Francis Tanglao-Aguas is the author of “when the purple settles,” winner of the 2002 Don Carlos Palanca Award, the Philippines National Prize in Literature. He also wrote “where the carabao sleeps,” and “Abuja Woman,” both winners of the Audrey Skirball Kenis Playwriting Award. In April 2007, he performed his original solo play, “The Sarimanok Travels” at the University of Hawaii where he was awarded a Freeman Foundation Artist in Residence. His newest work “Ramayana La’ar,” a theatrical adaptation of the sacred Hindu epic “Ramayana,” received wide acclaim from the Williamsburg community and the Virginia Gazette garnering Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress awards. He is also the co-editor of “Tibuk-Tibok Festival Anthology of Young Filipino Writers."
Educated at the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television with a B.A. in Theater Magna Cum Laude, and M.F.A. in Playwriting, Professor Tanglao-Aguas is founding Artistic Director of the Ateneo de Manila Fine Arts Festival and Theater Underground at UCLA. He has also taught at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Ateneo de Manila University, Kenyon College, and Georgetown University. He is a member of Asia Pacific Indigenous Plays Festival, Screen Actor's Guild and the Dramatists Guild of America. In April 2008, he will be directing the Pulitzer Prize winning “Topdog/Underdog” by Suzan-Lori Parks for William and Mary Theatre’s Second Season.
In 2007, Professor Tanglao-Aguas was awarded Outstanding Professor from the College of William and Mary Image Awards. He is proud of his work advancing the celebration of diversity alongside the students groups he advises such as Filipino American Students Association (FASA), Asian Student Council, Muslim Students Association, African American Theatre Club, and the newly founded International Performance Arts Exchange (IPAX).
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