Last week, Kenneth Hilario, an eight-year Mt. Airy resident, was appointed director of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA), where his role is, according to the organization, “to oversee and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

An account manager at AKCG, a local media rand public relations firm, Hilario is a Delaware County native who attended Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill before it merged with Archbishop Prendergast. “Here’s a fun fact,” he said, “Robert Francis Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) visited during my freshman year to celebrate Mass.” Hilario graduated from Temple University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Hilario said the best advice he ever received “was from the late and greatly missed Jeff Guaracino, who led Visit Philadelphia for three years until his passing in 2021. I first met him when he was the executive director of the Atlantic City Alliance, and I was a reporter. Over 10 years ago, Jeff told me to never hide or be ashamed of who I was, neither my sexual orientation nor my Filipino background. That’s my power, which I use to my own advantage. He was probably the first person who said something like that to me. I think about that a lot. It was very powerful.”

Last week, the Local interviewed Hilario by email about his life and his new position.

What do you like (and dislike, if anything) about living in Mt. Airy?

I feel safe in Mt. Airy. There’s such diversity here when it comes to the people, shops, and restaurants, and I love how accessible Center City and the suburbs are by train and car. My favorite spots are High Point Cafe in the Allen Lane Train Station for the lattes, awesome staff, and pastries; McMenamin’s for the wings and drinks; Golden Crust Pizza for the pizza, wings, and cheese fries; and The Juice Room for the sandwiches.

What is the best decision you ever made?

Moving in with my partner, Feather Chiaverini, who is the best artist out there. He’s an amazing fiber artist, but beyond that he’s the most caring, loving, and understanding person I know.

What jobs have you had since you finished school?

My first job out of Temple University was as the hospitality reporter at the Philadelphia Business Journal. After five years there, I worked at three public relations and marketing communications firms, including where I am now, AKCG — Public Relations Counselors in Glassboro, New Jersey, since October, 2024.

Who are some of your clients?

At AKCG, I work with senior living providers that have several senior living communities across the country. One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting residents, learning about their stories, and working with journalists to showcase the amazing and inspiring things the residents are doing in their respective communities.

What are the responsibilities of being on the Board of Governors of PPRA?

We really try to do what’s best for PPRA members and for nonmembers and part of the public relations field in Greater Philadelphia. For younger professionals, like students, we provide a formal mentorship program, networking events, and educational panels. For mid-to-late-year professionals, we provide access to media members, crisis communication panels, connection with social media influencers, and more.

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?

Probably realizing that some people aren’t meant to be in your life forever. You have to decide what’s best for you, and sometimes that means people aren’t part of it anymore.

What person has had the greatest impact on your life? Why?

My dad.

He raised me by himself, and he’s the one who instilled every value and moral that I lead my life with. He wasn’t just my dad; he was Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and so much more wrapped in one.

He always supports me, but he’s also given me the tools and wherewithal to be an independent and autonomous person. When, not if (mark the day this Q&A is published), I win an Oscar one day, I’m thanking him first because I don’t want the music to drown me out.

If you could meet and spend time with any person on earth from the past or present, who would it be and why?

My answer has always been Meryl Streep for this question. She’s just such a bada**.

How would you spend a fortune if you won the lottery?

The smart idea would be to hire a lawyer, accountant, and financial adviser; decide where I want to invest that money and make a long-term plan for the future. But this is all hypothetical, so I would hypothetically buy a huge mansion and design each room to look like my favorite movies and TV shows.

One bedroom would be “The Fifth Element;” another would be “Alien,” the closet would be from “KPop Demon Hunters,” and the living room would be Monica and Rachel’s apartment from “Friends.”

Any family members you would like to mention, please do.

My cat, Tobias. If you’re reading this, please get off the table. You ate five minutes ago, so please stop acting like you haven’t eaten before and that I’m a terrible human.

For more information, email Khilario@akcg.com. Len Lear can be reached at LenLear@chestnuthilllocal.com.