The Online News Association has selected 26 women who are pushing innovation in digital journalism for the 2020 Women’s Leadership Accelerator. The Accelerator is a yearlong program aimed at advancing women in digital journalism through intensive training on leadership and management skills, coaching and practical guidance to navigate career challenges.
The 26 women represent seven countries and a range of backgrounds, newsrooms and expertise, including local news entrepreneurship, operations, product innovation, visual journalism and broadcast.
The 2020 Women’s Leadership Accelerator includes:
The cohort will kick off the 2020 program with a week of intensive workshops, candid discussions and one-on-one mentorship with industry leaders March 1–6, 2020 at the University of California Los Angeles. ONA provides targeted guidance and check-ins throughout the year as women in the program focus on navigating a challenge unique to their careers. The program culminates with a workshop at the 2020 Online News Association Conference (ONA20), Sept. 30–Oct. 3 in Atlanta.
In response to high demand for support of women leaders in journalism, ONA continues to adapt lessons from the Accelerator to training opportunities beyond the flagship cohort-based program. Women who are aspiring to or are already in leadership positions have received support through ONA’s collaborations with the ONA Local network and other journalism organizations, including workshops in New York, Detroit, London and New Orleans. Most recently, ONA South Florida hosted a full-day workshop in Miami specifically designed for women in small markets and local news.
“The Women’s Leadership Accelerator is helping women in digital journalism develop leadership and management skills and building a network of thoughtful innovators who support each other as they advance in their careers,” said Jennifer Mizgata, ONA’s Director of Programs. “What’s incredible about the program is the ripple effect beyond the individual changes and projects. We see potential for big impact on the journalism industry as we continue to offer new training and networking opportunities.”
The Women’s Leadership Accelerator is tuition-free thanks to lead funder Dow Jones Foundation and additional support from Microsoft News; the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Ethics & Excellence in Journalism; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowships.
If you are interested in supporting the 2020 Accelerator program, contact ONA Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer Jessica Strelitz at jessica@journalists.org.
