We are pleased to introduce the candidates up for election to the Online News Association’s 2023-24 Board of Directors. In all, 12 candidates — five new nominees and seven incumbents — are running for six open seats on the board. Board candidates were nominated by ONA members, and ONA’s Governance Committee assessed them on four nominee criteria.
All active ONA members as of Thursday, Sept. 8, will be eligible to cast a ballot. Voting will open Sept. 12 and close Oct. 3. Join ONA or check your membership status to ensure you are registered to vote. New board members will begin their two-year terms on Jan. 1, 2023.
New Candidates
- Dan Gilgoff, Executive Editor, Digital & Content, AARP
- Robin Kwong, New Formats Editor, The Wall Street Journal
- Kristen Reed, Content Director, TEGNA
- Margaret Schneider, Head of Training & Documentation, Newspack, Automattic
- Allison Shirk, Digital and engagement editor, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Incumbent Candidates
- Ashley Alvarado, Vice President, Community Engagement + Strategic Initiatives, Southern California Public Radio (KPCC/LAist)
- Rubina Madan Fillion,* Director of Strategy, Opinion, The New York Times
- Andrew Fitzgerald, SVP, Streaming Video Services, Hearst Television
- Rodney Gibbs, Senior Director, Strategy & Innovation, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Presenter/Senior Producer, AJ+
- Niketa Patel,* Senior Director, Partnerships & Platforms, The 19th
- Anita Zielina, Director Strategic Initiatives, Newmark J-School at CUNY
Current Board member Susan Gonzalez is at the end of her term. We are grateful for her service to the ONA community.
The candidates will share about their motivations for running for the board, goals and big ideas in a series of lightning talks during the 2022 Online News Association Conference. The session is happening Thursday, Sept. 22, 4 p.m. PDT, and will be available via online video stream: Leadership Spotlight: What’s Next in Digital Journalism From ONA Board Candidates.
Learn more about the 2023-24 Board election
* Note: Rubina Madan Fillion and Niketa Patel have temporarily recused themselves from participating in the Governance Committee during the election process.
The Online News Association was founded in 1999 as a forum for digital news pioneers to collaborate on common challenges and encourage the highest journalistic standards. Become an ONA member or make a donation to sustain our mission to inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism.
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To explore partnerships, promotional opportunities and other ways to invest in ONA’s programs and events, contact Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer Jessica Strelitz at jessica@journalists.org.