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ABOUT US

At The AVAKA Collective we work with leading brands and clients in the tourism, hotel, restaurant, food, CPG, wellness, and design and architecture space. Our expertise has spanned from luxury brands to emerging and entrepreneurial concepts. Our guiding principles permeate every action and interaction.

Our guiding principles are:

  • Always push the limit at every opportunity

  • Our progressive spirit defines our strategies

  • Defy expectations to achieve what most think impossible

  • Take the unexplored path

  • A fervent curiosity furthers our client’s success

  • A diversity of thought inspires radical solutions

  • Work responsibly towards the greater good

  • We live, work, and play at the intersection of travel, food, music, art, design, technology, and culture

  • We are defined and driven by the independent thinker and the collective

  • We know the path, we build the architecture, and we forge the future of your brand

VANESSA KANEGAI | FOUNDER

Vanessa Kanegai is the Principal of The AVAKA Collective and is an experienced communications and marketing professional with 20+ years in practice centered on driving strategies in marketing, PR, and brand and reputation management.

Prior to forming The AVAKA Collective, Kanegai was a Managing Director at Wagstaff Worldwide where she played an integral role in travel and tourism, restaurant, destination, and food and beverage client campaigns including those for Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection’s Hotel PASEO, The Ritz-Carlton, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Mr. C Beverly Hills, Westfield, Amazon Studios, Crossroads, Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, to name a few.

Her entrepreneurial minded approach has resulted in high-impact integrated PR campaigns with an emphasis in ROI with measurable results, revenue driven campaigns, media consulting, and event media management. Kanegai is recognized as a trusted source in the industry and has cultivated a network of leaders and innovative brands over the span of her career which are integral to the success of her clients. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband Kevin at the beach, enjoying a great meal, or on a new adventure.