Meet Keonnis, Mineta San José International Airport's (SJC) Public Information Manager.
Joining the SJC family in August 2020, Keonnis is responsible for media affairs, public affairs, and internal communications. In addition, Keonnis serves as the Airport’s primary spokesperson and Public Information Officer (PIO). Keonnis was the first Black woman to serve as the Spokesperson here at SJC and at Oakland International Airport (OAK).
With a career spanning over 15 years in Transportation, Keonnis provides a vast knowledge of expertise in all areas of public affairs, including emergency crisis communications as a FEMA-Certified Public Information Officer and trained in the Incident Command System (ICS).
Prior to joining the SJC team, Keonnis spent five years at Oakland International Airport (OAK), as the primary spokesperson where she managed internal communications and media relations. Additionally, Keonnis served as community relations liaison for the BART Oakland Airport Connector project; and worked for the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA), The Allen Group, as well as Oakland-based advocacy organizations, Comfort Homesake and Communities for a Better Environment.
Keonnis is a graduate of DePauw University, and earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from Bernard Baruch College as part of the prestigious National Urban Fellows program.
Following her family's legacy in civic engagement, Keonnis is a graduate of the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute, and served as Administrative Chair of the Black Economic Council, while also being a mentor to many future leaders.
