Sad news here in Washington, D.C.: FishbowlDC has learned that Joan Hisaoka has passed away, following a recurrence of cancer. Joan ran Hisaoka Public Relations and was an all-around kind woman, a smart woman (Mensa) and an adventurous one (martial arts was a hobby).

From the bio featured on her website:

Joan brings a life-long passion for writing and a background in journalism to Hisaoka Public Relations, winner of the Public Relations Society of America's Silver Anvil Award, "the icon of best public relations practices."

Committed to helping clients striving for excellence reach new heights, Joan has worked to create a positive work environment designed to empower forward-thinking employees. Dubbed a "PR guru" by the Washington Business Journal and WTOP radio, Joan's primary role at Hisaoka Public Relations is to provide creative and strategic counsel designed to maximize impact for clients in the media and among target markets.

Joan was named one of the 50 most powerful and influential women in DC, as a recipient of the Washington Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business Award." In addition to running her business, she serves as the immediate past president of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a non-profit organization whose members are women of high achievement in the culinary world. She also serves on the board of directors for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and was tapped to create the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s first-ever program involving restaurants.