Odette Struys is an FDOT Public Information Officer for Northeast Florida's first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), promoting the effectiveness, added safety and innovative design of the DDI through public outreach, community presentations, social media and educational videos. She will also discuss the multi-use path being constructed on the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Odette Struys hails from Singapore, and has enjoyed distinct careers in global broadcasting and public relations (PR). Her media work spans from CNN’s Washington DC bureau, the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, Paxson Communications to Clear Channel Communications and PBS. Among her many media milestones, in 1992, she pioneered the way for women in Singapore as the first female Olympic TV anchor in Southeast Asia. In her PR profession, she continues to earn significant local and regional recognition for her leadership and consistent community contributions, and in 2005, was one of 163 people worldwide to receive the Rotary International Public Relations Award.
Locally, Odette is best remembered for her work as the morning personality on North Florida’s Smooth Jazz station which earned her Jacksonville Magazine’s “Best Voice to Wake Up to in Jacksonville,” and for more than 20 ongoing years of anchoring WJCT’s televised auctions, celebrity interviews and specials. She is also a well-respected emcee for a variety of non-profit events and for the City of Jacksonville (ex. Jacksonville Jazz Festival, 9/11 Commemoration Ceremonies, World of Nations, Mayoral debates etc).
Following her broadcasting career, she launched an award-winning communications profession. She spent nearly a decade with The Nemours Foundation’s corporate home office directing National Media Relations, Marketing and PR for four states (DE, FL, NJ, PA), and more recently worked for The Blood Alliance overseeing strategic Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Special Events and Marketing for its operations in three states (FL, GA, SC).
A dedicated community servant, she is currently on the boards of Visit Jacksonville and GlobalJax (an arm of the US State Department). Odette is Past President of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville and the Rotary 6970 District PR Committee. She has served on the boards of Rotary, Leadership Jacksonville, Regional Emergency Planning Council, Jacksonville Asian-American Chamber, the Asian-American Advisory Council, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Books A-Go Go and WJCT/PBS. An advanced Nitrox National Geographic scuba diver, she travels extensively, plays golf, tennis, mountain bikes and has three rescued dogs. Odette speaks four languages (English, Malay, Cantonese and French), was educated on four continents, and has a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Radio and Television broadcasting, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management.
Brian Reyes will have Club swag available for sale. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
Arrive at 6:30 PM and enjoy dinner with your cycling friends or just come for the meeting at 7:30 PM.