Meet the candidates in the 2024-25 ONA Board of Directors election

Online News Association members to cast votes from Aug. 14–Sept. 7

By on August 2, 2023

Update: Voting in the 2024-25 ONA Board election ended Sept. 7, 2023

See Election Results

We are pleased to introduce the candidates up for election to the Online News Association’s 2024-25 Board of Directors. In all, 15 candidates — nine new nominees and six 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, Aug. 10, will be eligible to cast a ballot. Voting will open on Aug. 14 and close Sept. 7. 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, 2024.

Explore each candidate’s profile to learn about their backgrounds and their vision for ONA.

New Candidates

Incumbent Candidates

Current Board member Fergus Bell is at the end of his term. We are grateful for his service to the ONA community.

Current Board President David Smydra will be beginning his ex-officio term next year.

Voters will be able to meet with the candidates at the 2023 Online News Association Conference.

Learn more about the 2024-25 Board election

* Note: Elana Zak has temporarily recused herself 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.

Diana López

Diana López

Diana is responsible for coordinating programs, resources, volunteers and community initiatives at the Online News Association.