2021 Gold Achievement Honoree
Patrice Tanaka
Joyful Planet, LLC
Founder & Chief Joy Officer

Patrice Tanaka is a best-selling author, public speaker on business and life purpose, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of three award-winning, PR & Marketing agencies and the consultancy, Joyful Planet, focused on helping individuals and organizations discover and actively live or operationalize their purpose to unleash greater success, fulfillment and joy in their personal lives, workplaces and communities.
Life and organizational purpose are the subjects of Patrice’s best-selling books, Beat the Curve and Performance360. Patrice has been honored by PRWeek (Hall of Fame inductee), PRSA Foundation (Paladin Award), PRSA (Paul M. Lund Award for Public Service), New York Women in Communications (Matrix Award), Working Mother magazine (“Mothering that Works” Award), Girl Scouts of Greater New York (“Woman of Distinction” Award), University of Hawaii (“Distinguished Alumni Award), among others.
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She is Immediate Past Co-Chair and current Executive Board member of the Diversity Action Alliance, a PR industry-wide coalition of 15 influential organizations committed to action on diversity, equity and inclusion. She serves and has served as a trustee and volunteer for many organizations committed to girl- and women’s leadership development, economic empowerment and gender equity, including the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute, Women’s Forum New York, Dress for Success Worldwide, Asian Women in Business and New York Women in Communications.
Patrice was born and raised in Hawaii, but has lived in New York City for most of her adult life. She calls Hawaii “home” and is committed to living her life with the “Aloha Spirit.”
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