BENNET GROUP PROMOTES PONO SUGANUMA AND CATHERINE COLEMAN TO SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

HONOLULU – Bennet Group Strategic Communications, one of Hawaiʻi’s premier public relations agencies, today announced the promotion of Pono Suganuma and Catherine Coleman, who will both serve as senior account managers at the firm.

“As emerging leaders in the community, Pono and Catherine consistently provide the highest quality of service to our clients. Their exemplary storytelling skills, unrelenting enthusiasm and commitment to making Hawaiʻi better always deliver results,” said Joan Bennet, president and CEO of Bennet Group. “We look forward to their continued growth with our firm as they deliver strategic communications counsel to our clients and partners.”

Pono and Catherine joined Bennet Group in May 2019 and July 2019, respectively, as account executives. They provide strategic planning, crisis communications, message development and tactical execution services, reaching key stakeholders and the media and navigating complex community issues. Their suite of clients includes those in renewable energy, inter-island transportation, resort development, real estate, education, finance, kūpuna care and more.

Prior to joining Bennet Group, Pono served as a Legislative Aide for Hawaiʻi State Representative Nicole Lowen, whom she supported by drafting government resolutions, certificates, and constituent communication materials. She previously worked as a Digital Content Producer for Hawaiʻi News Now, where she produced a variety of high-performing multimedia content for its digital and social platforms. Pono graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 2018 and Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2015.

Before joining the firm, Catherine held internships with various companies in Hawaiʻi, including Hawaiian Airlines, Becker Communications, The Tea Chest Hawaiʻi and more. Through her positions, she applied her communication skills to multiple industries in Hawaiʻi. She received her master’s degree from the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s University of Miami, and graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2014.

Both are members of the Public Relations Society of America – Hawai‘i Chapter, and Catherine currently serves as the vice president of communities for the American Marketing Association – Hawai‘i Chapter and will start a new role as president-elect in the summer of 2022. Outside of work, the pair support the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i, Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i, Project Vision Hawaiʻi and other nonprofit organizations. ​ 

In their new roles as senior account managers, Pono and Catherine will continue delivering impeccable service to clients, strategizing and operationalizing initiatives and programs that benefit Hawaiʻi now and in the future. Their collective skills will further elevate Bennet Group as a thoughtful, forward-thinking communications partner for clients nationwide.

About Bennet Group Strategic Communications

Bennet Group Strategic Communications provides full-service public relations and strategic communications counsel to a variety of businesses in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. The firm provides corporate communications, public affairs and public policy, media training, crisis communications, social media, integrated marketing and issues management, among other services. More information is available on its website www.bennetgroup.com and on its social platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.