Joel Chacha

Joel Chacha is a strategic communications leader with over 16 years of experience helping organisations tell powerful stories, protect and grow their reputations, and build meaningful partnerships across Africa and beyond. At Portland Communications, he leads the strategic team, driving strategic planning, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. His work focuses on strengthening influential media relationships worldwide and leveraging Portland's global network across London, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Washington D.C., Nairobi, Doha, and Singapore to deliver measurable impact for clients. Beyond Portland, Joel is deeply committed to advancing the communications industry. He serves on the Board of the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK), where he chairs the Marketing and Gala Committee. He also chairs the Media Relations Experts Panel at the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK). His leadership and expertise have been recognised globally. He has served as a member of the PRWeek Global Awards jury, a juror at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and a member of the African SABRE Awards jury. Joel has been named among the Top Ten Men of Impact in Africa (2025), Top 10 Men in PR in Africa (2025), Top 52 Public Relations Practitioners in Kenya ( PRSK) (2024), Top Men in PR by PRSK (2024), and PR Personality of the Year by Marketing World (2024). Joel began his career in journalism, where he cultivated a deep passion for storytelling and message development that resonates with diverse audiences. Over the years, he has led communications for some of the world's most respected organisations across sectors, including corporate communications, global health, sustainability, philanthropy, communications for development, youth empowerment, and governance. He holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Strategic Corporate Communication from the United States International University Africa (USIU A).