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I’m so grateful we have dedicated classmates who provide this venue for us to stay in touch! Mahalo!
After high school, I stayed in Hawaii and finished my Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Hawaii (UH) where I was an Exchange Student to Russia. The political bug bit me and I embarked on a 12-year journey that had me working at the Hawaii State Legislature, Honolulu City Council and the United States Congress. Prior to moving to Washington, DC where I currently reside, I earned a Master’s degree in Political Communication from UH and married a wonderful guy named Danny Aranza. Danny and I moved to DC nearly 14 years ago. I worked from 1990-1996 as Director of Constituent Relations for Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) on Capitol Hill. It was an amazing time! My husband, who is an attorney, first worked as Legal Counsel in Congress and then worked in the Clinton Administration as Director of International & Territorial Affairs for two presidential terms. It was during my husband’s busy time that I found I had nothing better to do after my workday so I went and got a second Master’s Degree in Public Communication from American University at night and on weekends.
While attending American University, I was taught by phenomenal professors who lived and breathed their craft. As a result, I was introduced to the idea of going off on my own as a consultant. At first it was scary, but I made the big move and quit what my mom called “a perfectly fine job” working for the Congressman and established my own consulting practice. My company is called Aranza Communications and it is nearly 8 years old. Our area of expertise includes Communication, Diversity and Leadership. Our clients include IBM, U.S. Postal Service and Verizon Communications, to name a few. My husband (who now serves as attorney/consultant to governments in the Asia Pacific Region) and I have incorporated family time into our busy travel schedule. As a result, our son Aaron (5) travels the country and the world with us whenever possible. We are truly blessed and I am grateful for my years at Radford, which set me on a good path.