Members of the Online News Association, the world’s largest membership organization of digital journalists, elected Susan Gonzalez, Social Media Strategist at Chalkbeat, and Anita Zielina, Director of Strategic Initiatives of the Newmark J-School at CUNY—and re-elected four incumbents to the 2021-22 ONA Board of Directors. Terms last for two years and begin Jan. 1, 2021.
Susan Gonzalez brings expertise in audience engagement and a passion for supporting underrepresented voices in the journalism industry. At Chalkbeat, Susan is focused on engaging readers on education inequities and highlighting youth voices. She previously worked as a digital producer on the E.W. Scripps Company’s national news team and as a digital strategist at The Denver Post. As co-organizer of ONA Rocky Mountain, she supports her local news community through training and networking opportunities, and recently served on a working group to address representation in newsrooms.
Anita Zielina brings a deep understanding of product management and innovation in journalism. Before joining the Newmark J-School to direct professional training and executive education, she held management roles and led digital transformation in various European media organization, most recently as Chief Product Officer at NZZ Media Group in Switzerland.
The re-elected Board members are:
- Rodney Gibbs, Executive Director, RevLab at The Texas Tribune
- Niketa Patel, Senior News Partnerships Manager, Twitter
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Presenter, AJ+
- Rubina Madan Fillion, Director of Audience, The New York Times Opinion
The Board will appoint two additional seats before the end of the year. Eight Board members, including one appointed non-voting student representative, are serving out their current two-year terms through 2021.
Candidates in the board election were selected by the ONA’s Governance Committee from a pool of nominations submitted by ONA members. The committee reviewed nominations based on five criteria, including thought and career leadership in ONA’s focus areas and a history of service to ONA. Learn more about the Board election process.