Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I’ve been involved with SPJ since college. But it wasn’t because of anything the national organization did.

Instead, it was hands-on programs hosted by my local chapter that earned my loyalty and trust. I learned how to write obituaries at a funeral parlor and cover my city’s Muslim community at a mosque while eating falafel. I trained my community with a Fake News Game Show and taught college journalists how to interview zombies.

SPJ has an opportunity to meet young reporters and student journalists where they’re at — by joining them on both the frontlines and picket lines. I believe I can help expand the organization's mission and help ensure it is reaching a larger audience.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I helped usher SPJ's involvement with newsroom unions from a local and national level, organizing programs about how to unionize and extending support to guilds needing more support from corporate leadership.

I also launched SPJ Florida's Hand Up Fund, a no-strings grant for journalists impacted by natural disaster, furloughs, layoffs and other hardships. With support from my national board peers, we expanded this grant to help journalists impacted by Hurricane Ian.

I've also founded or have been a part of the founding teams behind several award-winning SPJ national programs and projects including (but not limited to): The Fake News Game Show, The Race and Gender Hotline and Muslimedia.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

For too long, the organization has refused to draw lines in the sand or speak out on topics that matter to our members (and potential members) under the guise of not wanting to ruffle feathers. SPJ is hemorrhaging members at the same time newsrooms are laying off journalists.

We need to offer actual support — not waived membership rates — to prove our group is the best for supporting those in the field.

That means offering more than solidarity for journalists who are fighting corporate leadership for fair wages and contracts. Instead, let’s offer strike funds and legal defense access to negotiating units.

It means partnering with experts at LGBTQ+ and other marginalized resource groups to ensure news in 2023 looks how it should.

It means supporting digital content creators, social media strategists, and SEO specialists — because all of those roles make journalism what it is today.

Our group works so hard to please everyone that we end up serving no one. This group of people wants to change that.

Why is SPJ important to you?

I've been an active SPJ member since college. My local chapter especially has provided me with so much hands-on training that has helped my career trajectory. But not every chapter has the same resources. I'm tired of having to explain to colleagues — especially younger colleagues who are fleeing for different journalism groups — why an SPJ membership is valuable. I want others to get the same return on investment I have.

She has developed one-on-one coaching for journalists struggling with trying to balance their life and career with the goal of getting them aligned with their values and reaching a level of success that they deem on their own. She understands the struggle of trying to find the balance that doesn’t exist in the 24-hour news cycle and wanted to give journalists a way to establish healthy habits that help develop them into their next level personally and professionally.

Before moving back into print and digital journalism, she was a researcher at CNN on The Row vetting scripts and written work for factual accuracy and looking for background information and context. Before joining the network, she was a producer at WTOC in Savannah, GA with experience producing newscasts in both the evenings and mornings. She produced shows in many severe weather situations winning a 2019 GABBY for Best Team Weather Coverage.

Her background is in writing and newsroom management. She wrote for The Red & Black in Athens serving in multiple editorial roles including News Editor and Editor-in-Chief. With a passion for investigations and long-form journalism, she also worked for the newspaper’s sister publication Ampersand as Executive Editor. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Georgia in December 2017.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I believe I am the best candidate to be SPJ’s next Vice President because I don’t just have a vision or just have the experience. I have both. I’m a proven leader in the organization on multiple levels. I don’t just wait for someone else to take action when challenges arise. I step up to the plate, figure out a solution and implement it. I have a people-first approach to encourage teamwork and engagement from our members. I have a plan for what I want to do with both years I will serve. I am an advocate for journalists themselves as well as our industry as a whole.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I have led the way for the talks about safety in newsrooms. I led the MMJ Safety Task Force which worked to bring voices of MMJs, newsroom managers and HR specialists together to discuss what we can do about the clear issue of safety in our industry. Our conversations brought forward a clear need for some guidelines. What we created gave MMJs a tool backed by a national organization that they could take to their newsroom managers who weren’t always operating in safe environments. It also became something that newsroom managers could implement and cite to their corporate managers.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I have three main pillars to focus on if elected: growth for our members, financial stability and industry transformation. First is our members: they need to know exactly what they’re getting when they sign up with us. We do a lot of events at chapter and community levels that the national organization can help amplify more across the nation. We are the support system for the chapters but for our members who aren’t chapter affiliated we need to amplify the voices from chapters in all regions so that those members can find the events and learning opportunities they’re seeking. We also need to provide more SPJ specific trainings. Future Leader’s Academy and the treasurer training are great examples and starting points for us. We should offer regular chapter president and regional coordinator trainings to help improve the synergy between the national and local levels. It shows we are open to supporting our entire system top to bottom. And this is all just the beginning of way we can open up more connection. Ultimately the people who make up our membership base are students, retirees, working journalists and more. They all have voices we need to be listening to and if we do, then we will grow stronger. My second focus is our financial stability. ​​We need to start now with developing corporate partnerships. And that isn’t just about for a convention. Those partners can turn into yearly sponsorships for all of our events. We need a fresh take on a robust convention job fair that includes those partners. That can be done simply by also partnering for future conventions with other journalism organizations who already do this for their conference. We can also work with our partners to establish running newsroom memberships. We already have the option for this but it will take work to recruit them. This serves a two-fold purpose to help members out with individual costs, which we know is important in this costly world, and potentially growing our numbers by gaining larger pools of people who may not have known about us otherwise. We need to make these memberships valuable for newsrooms and will have to show them the trainings and value we can provide. Additionally, if we increase to doing three fundraising events a year as well as the convention for a total of four quarterly events that bring in revenue we would set ourselves up for growth. Finally, it’s important SPJ positions itself as the advocate for the journalism industry. We are the only group that represents everyone at the table and we welcome them all to the discussion. But that also means, standing up when one brother is fighting with the other. It means standing up for MMJs when they’re managers aren’t protecting them. It means standing up for diversity and equality. It means standing up for better pay. It means standing up for the truth. It means fighting for the first amendment. The way that we do this isn’t just issuing statements. They are good and powerful but they are more powerful with action behind them. That’s why I want to work together with other national journalism organizations to commission nationwide diversity and wage studies in the newsrooms across the United States. Then, take our organizations’ findings to the corporate partnerships we have cultivated and ask for the changes in the places we see a need to improve. When you bring everyone to the conversation to begin with, having the hard conversations gets a little easier because the door was always open. My three goals are clear: growth for our members, financial stability and industry transformation.

Why is SPJ important to you?

SPJ is important to me because I believe this is a calling. Journalism calls us to it. We all have such a passion for what we do. And this organization brings together the best of the best. I have met people through the society that I never would have dreamed of seeing in person much less casually having a conversation with among other great journalists. I believe in the power of the society because of its long history and dedicated membership base. Being a part of SPJ is something that has become a part of who I am.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

As a board member serving for the past two years, I’ve been at the table when we’ve had to make some really tough calls. I’m a good listener, and I take all arguments into account in my decision-making. As a leader, you have to be decisive and confident. I’ve shown that by voting for what I think is what’s best for the organization, even if I’m in the minority.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I have helped advocate for the safety of MMJs by helping create a tool they can use to advocate for their own safety. As a working multimedia journalist serving on the MMJ safety task force, I made several suggestions that have been enshrined in our safety guidelines. I’ve heard from several members (and non-members) who say those guidelines have empowered them when speaking up for themselves in their newsrooms.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

It’s no secret SPJ is hurting financially and so are our members. There’s two ways I want to address that. First — we need to make your membership have more value. I want to create more frequent training that’s accessible to everyone and that you can use in your newsroom right now. While dues from membership are important, the Society cannot rely on those funds as its only means of income. As Secretary-Treasurer, I would prioritize finding different forms of revenue by advocating for the Society’s mission to secure donors, searching for grants and fundraising.

Why is SPJ important to you?

The Society of Professional Journalists champions journalists of all mediums, defending the rights we have to hold power to account and expose the truth. As a leader in journalism, SPJ has helped me strengthen my voice and boosted my confidence when standing up for what’s right. This organization has made significant strides towards being more inclusive and diverse, and we still have a ways to go. I want to embrace our members who are at different points in their career. Whether you’re a student, retiree, or somewhere in between — you have something to offer others can learn from.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I actually do stuff.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

Sadly, little that has that stuck. During my decade on the national board, I fought for more transparency, more focus outwardly on advocacy than inwardly on governance, and an emphasis on programming over posturing. About the only change that stuck was expanding the Wells Key voting from three people to the entire board.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

It's all here.

Why is SPJ important to you?

While National is broke and the Foundation is struggling, my chapter provides funding to do all sorts of programming. So I'm in it for the money.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

First and foremost, I know SPJ. I have been a member for nearly 10 years and have experienced SPJ as a student, young professional, leader and news entrepreneur. I am proud to bring SPJ and its values into the adjacent industries I have worked in while freelancing part-time. This places me in a unique position to have a well-rounded approach that does not neglect any one area of SPJ's membership. The heart of my work with and for SPJ is education and outreach. I believe these areas not only provide the most tangible benefits to SPJ members, but it also sits at the core mission of SPJ. I have both a deep respect for SPJ's tradition and history and a desire to move SPJ forward in supporting all journalists and defending a free press.

Finally, I have other journalism-related non-profit experience. I am the founder and board president of a local news initiative in rural Indiana. Creating, running and serving as a leader in another non-profit has given me a deeper understanding of the non-profit business model.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I have two SPJ projects that I am proud to have worked on.

The first is a project that is ongoing. That project is the SPJ History project. A current board member and I spent three days at DePauw University combing through the archived materials there. In the months since the project, we have worked on ways to add to the collection, and I have started the process of seeking grants to digitize our archives to make them widely available to our membership.

Second, I am proud to have been part of the SPJ SMACK initiative. While I did directly benefit from the initiative and allowed my firing as a college editor to be the initial case for SMACK, I was happy to share my story and show that few student journalists have something to lose by standing up for themselves. SPJ SMACK's mission directly aligns with SPJ, but it helps often underserved student journalists. Student journalist face the same amount of adversity as professional journalists but with far fewer options for recourse. SMACK aims to help student journalists fight back.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

If I am elected, as a Regional Coordinator myself, I promise to increase communication with Regional Coordinators to empower RCs to better assist their chapters and members. In recent years, there has been significant disconnect between RCs and the national board. And this past year, as a new RC, I directly witnessed how we were left in the dark. If RCs exist to be a vital connection between chapters and the national organization, being left out of important conversations sends the message that chapters and their needs are not important.

Additionally, I would like to focus our conversations more about what SPJ can do to serve its mission and spend less time arguing about structures and bylaws. We need to be supporting the members we have while letting folks in journalism adjacent roles know that they too have a home in SPJ. The reality is that even some of our current members work in adjacent roles because our industry is hemorrhaging jobs. At the end of the day, we need revenue streams that do not place the financial burden onto our members.

Why is SPJ important to you?

Personally, I owe much of the journalist I am today and the career that I have had to SPJ either directly or indirectly. I know that I am not the only journalist that has benefited from the work that SPJ does. I am constantly working to find new ways to support SPJ's mission and to volunteer for it. At the end of the day, I want to constantly serve SPJ, give back to it and play a role in improving it along the way.

All throughout my journalism career, the lack of diversity at all levels in the workplace has been astounding. My membership in the National Association of Hispanic Journalists provided me camaraderie as I began advocating for more diverse hiring.

I joined the academe full time in 2012, leaving WaPo for the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism (now called the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY) where I became the Director of Diversity Initiatives and oversaw a $1.4 million budget to run an initiative that created a pipeline of diverse aspiring journalists for our industry.

Today I am a digital storytelling lecturer at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. I am also the director of Inclusion and Diversity. I am the founding adviser of UF’s NAHJ student chapter. In addition to serving on the board of directors for JAWS, I am also on the board of The Independent Florida Alligator, a student-run digital and print publication.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I was journalist for 30 years working at the New York Times and Washington Post. I also have 11 years in academia teaching the craft of journalism. I know what is needed to deal with challenges in the newsroom and classroom. Today a good leader needs to know what the members need to make it in the news business and what students need to prepare for the professional world.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

My focus is always to make an organization stronger and better. When I was on SPJ'S Nominations Committee, we looked at how the process could become an easy task for those who were seeking office. Also when I was the co-chair of the Awards & Honors committee, I knew it was important for our members in Sports and Spanish-language media to be recognized for their work. We added categories in both and that move brought in more income for SPJ.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I don't believe in "reinventing wheel" but I do believe there are areas to improve. I think each member should have the right to vote for what they feel would be best for SPJ. That only a selected group of delegates who are part of chapters get that privilege is unfair, especially to those who are not in a chapter. We need a one member, one vote system.

Also, I think that we need to continue having diverse voices at the table, but not only in race or religion, but also in age. For example students should have a stronger voice as well as bringing in those who have retired but still have a passion for journalism. I have more goals that I believe will benefit all of us.

Why is SPJ important to you?

In the past few years, I have seen SPJ become more diverse and inclusive of voices that were missing for decades. That people who look like me are part of the organization means we matter. That journalism educators are embraced and welcomed is inspiring. I also appreciate that the younger generation is encouraged to be part of this organization, because we need new blood and new energy. SPJ needs to keep moving forward on a positive journey for success.

On the non-profit front, aside from SPJ and the Press Club of Long Island, Vaccaro is also the Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island and the board of the Italian American Baseball Foundation. He was inducted into the Long Island Journalism Hall of Fame in 2022.

Vaccaro studied journalism at Hofstra, attended Stony Brook University for his master’s in public policy, and has studied leadership in executive education programs at Harvard's Kennedy School, NYU's Stern School of Business, Columbia University's Business School, and MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He is studying for his doctorate in leadership studies at LSU.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I’ve stabilized trust, communication, and leadership in Region 1, have coordinated with national leaders as a key voice, built the first SPJ high school journalism institute in the northeast, raised the promotion and marketing of our pro and student chapters, and laid the groundwork and vision for more immediate and long term change in the northeast. I’m looking to provide that level of leadership and ideation at a national level and help SPJ at a time when it needs strong leaders to step up.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

Debuting the first SPJ Northeast High School Journalism Institute was one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had at any level of SPJ. For the past two summers at Roger Williams University, we worked collectively on vision and executed it for the sake of passionate students. We can't wait to do it again next year.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

SPJ needs a rebranding, a communication overhaul, a membership plan, a possible restructuring of its entire mission and vision ... one person can't do this, a group of dedicated leaders who can work together can ... I'd like to be one of those leaders.

Why is SPJ important to you?

I believe in supporting organizations that are bigger than me. I find value in collaborating with other SPJ members around the country to share ideas and help advocate for journalists and journalism collectively. To do that locally is a joy; to do that regionally is a privilege, and to do that as part of a national team of leaders would be empowering on a number of levels ... most notably the preservation of the organization.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

No other candidate is as passionate about college journalism as I am, and I'm paying attention to the ways SPJ can be more marketable to the general public in ways I don't think the others are conceptualizing.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I started the ReNews Project, which is the only dedicated program meant to help advise student reporters at HBCUs who are trying retool their student media efforts coming out of the pandemic.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I'd make SPJ or a regional chapter is in touch with every college journalism organization in the United States. There should be a journalism job an SPJ member can connect a student to ideally.

Why is SPJ important to you?

We're in a world that needs to see the value of journalism more than ever, and SPJ is uniquely situated to do so.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I've served in leadership positions in SPJ chapters around the country — Washington, New York, Los Angeles and New Jersey — to build membership and present journalism-related programs. I’ve also produced similar programs in cooperation with other journalism organizations, such as the National Press Club and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I’ve worked (with a lot of great people) to make sure freelance journalists receive their due within SPJ. I’ve been a member of the SPJ national Freelance Community board. I’m co-founder of the SPJ Washington D.C. freelance group. I speak about freelancing at local, regional and national journalism conferences.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

We talk a lot in SPJ about how much the organization provides for members. And it does provide a lot in terms of networking and training as well as legal support. But I’d like us to talk more about what SPJ enables its members to do for journalism. I’d like SPJ to do more to emphasize how, by working together, individual journalists can better support the First Amendment and promote the highest ethical standards.

Why is SPJ important to you?

I belong to SPJ — have belonged to SPJ since college — because it truly illuminates, upholds and fights for the ideals of journalism.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

Because I actually do stuff.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

After a dozen years on the national board, most of the changes I advocated have faded away. Perhaps most disappointing was lobbying, along with Andy Schotz, for greater board transparency. That's been slowly gutted since.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

None. Not because I don't want to, but because it's not possible. Regional coordinators have no influence with, nor even any communication from, the board of directors.

Why is SPJ important to you?

Because of the money. I've spent over $100,000 of SPJ money since 2005 — mostly on programming that's been covered by major media and trended No. 1 on Twitter. That's what matters to members. Yet we do so little of it.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I've been a journalist more than three decades and have worked with journalists both in English and Spanish language media. I know the challenges we face today with newsrooms downsizing or closing down for good. In fact my newsroom in Dallas, TX closed and I found myself out of a job, but I found a way to keep going through networking, and SPJ.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I have lived in the Region 3 area for most of my career and noticed that SPJ never had a chapter in Puerto Rico which is part of the US. I strongly feel my conversation with the incoming President, Rebecca Aguilar in 2021 encouraged her to make that one of her goals.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I would check in on every professional and student chapter in my region to see how they are doing with members and finances and offer any help I can bring to the table. I would also make a trip to Puerto Rico to see how we can help them in their second year of existence. My speaking Spanish is a huge advantage in helping make members of the Puerto Rico chapter know they matter too. I also want us to organize a strong regional conference to help professional and student journalists grow in their careers.

Why is SPJ important to you?

Ever since Rebecca Aguilar was on the national board and then President in 2022, I have seen a positive change in SPJ. People of color, younger people and those in the LGBTQ community are now part of the equation. I want to be part of an organization that moves forwards not backwards. SPJ is on the right track.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I've been an advocate for this cause for more than 20 years. While it is true that most of that time was spent with other associations, I believe SPJ can and should be the umbrella under which all professional journalists unite. Building and maintaining coalitions has been a hallmark of my volunteer career. I do not disparage the leaders who came before me, but I do think that I can offer a fresh perspective that improves on the best ideas.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I pushed for conference programming that addressed the spread of misinformation and voted on the national board for fiscally responsible approaches to the national association's needs. SPJ's policy on how to write about illegal immigration came in part from the NAHJ policies I helped draft.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

As a regional director, I would schedule at least one regional conference a year and promote programming in every state of the region, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (membership permitting). I would also work with the other regional directors to create a template for regional conferences in conjunction with the former UNITY partners. But first we'd have to organize such a conference in the southeast US to show that it can be done. The loss of UNITY as an organization left a void that SPJ is well-positioned to fill, and it is my goal to do so on a grassroots level.

Why is SPJ important to you?

Journalism has never been more important in the life and health of our democracy. We have got to start letting the country know who we are and what we stand for. And that means journalists (and journalism educators) defining the profession, its ethics and its freedoms under the First Amendment. I believe in strengthening SPJ by giving journalists an organization that they want to join.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

The past 10 years, every two years when I am asked this question, the answer is the same. I will work to be the best candidate. I have great journalists in our region. My hope is we will continue to grow our chapters and add to our region.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

The change is in the works. I'm currently building back a campus chapter at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It required recruiting an advisor and inspiring a group of communication students. UWEC was a rock star chapter before advisors left and student graduated. I'm using the model for UWEC to build back chapters at a number of Region 6 chapters.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I was on the SPJ board when we reduced the number of board members. We made at least one error in removing the student representative. I'll work to bring campus representation back to the SPJ board. We also do not currently have a Regional Coordinator on the full board. One idea has been floated that (2) Coordinators move on and off the board every two years. I would support that effort.

Why is SPJ important to you?

Journalism means everything to me. SPJ is one way for me to give back to journalism. It gives me a platform to inspire young journalists and meet experienced journalists. There are often two SPJ's. The work of chapters and unaffiliated members and the work of the board. We need to focus some of the work of the board so it is making a difference for it's members. That's why SPJ is important to me.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

As the current serving regional coordinator I am already actively engaging with and supporting the members of region 7 throughout Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. Continuing in this role will allow me to continue meaningful volunteer efforts to increase membership in my underdeveloped region as well as offer my continued support to chapter efforts underway.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

In my current term, I hosted region 7s annual conference with the Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association's annual convention alongside region 6 and announce MOE award winners. This greatly aided HQ in lessening its financial burden to otherwise host separate events. I continue to support our mission and the 4 pillars of SPJ and I ask of other members to speak up and do the same.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I am currently in the process of applying for funding for a chapter within my region to host events relative to FOIA nationally and in Kansas as well as hosting programming relevant to the books being banned in Iowa. These events if awarded grants can extend nationally to other chapters which have already expressed interest including Chicago Headline Club, various chapters in region 5 and others', alongside SPJ New England and more. I am working with the St.Louis Chapter to help revitalize the Lindenwood University student chapter. I look forward to continued outreach and partnership as well as establishing additional chapters in my region.

Why is SPJ important to you?

The Society of Professional Journalists is important to me because of what it embodies. It is an organization of hundreds of public servants committed to telling the story of others and keeping a democratic society held accountable. SPJ stands for upholding our rights as citizens and journalists and I want to continue to make sure we deliver on our promise.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I am the best person because I seek to bring inclusion and change.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I have advertised for more participation among the youth.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I would continue to bring the message of truth to larger targeted areas.

Why is SPJ important to you?

SPJ is a visionary organization that brings about important dialogue and conversations in our field. It deserves to continue its vital role.

Laura recently served as president of the nonprofit San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists for more than two years, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for journalism student scholarships. She is a former scholarship recipient and was elected by members this year to serve as VP after terming out as president.

She is a working mom based in San Antonio, Texas.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I’m the best candidate for Region 8 Coordinator because I’ve shown that not only can I assist our chapters in Texas and Oklahoma, but I can put on a successful regional conference. I had less than two months, but leaned on my professional network to organize an event that was beneficial for both professionals and students at minimal cost. We ended up making a little money for the host chapters - San Antonio Pro and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. I have served as a leader, a friend and a mentor to many journalists in Texas and will continue to do so because I believe in journalism and what we can do for our community and society as a whole.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I’ve worked to make the organization more inclusive and welcoming to journalists of all backgrounds by bringing new members in at the local, regional and national level. When I was selected as a diversity fellow, I worked with SPJ leaders to ensure that the program was more beneficial for future fellows, which led to a total restructuring of the program. I also served on the bylaws committee this year, which recommended that the board consider one-member, one-vote rather than the delegate system.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

Boost participation in SPJ. I’d like to encourage Texas and Oklahoma members to be more engaged with their local chapters and with the national organization. I would also call on the national organization to figure out why our membership tracking system is still not working as it should. In order to boost participation among members, I feel like national should be working harder to provide resources and benefits for its members.

Why is SPJ important to you?

SPJ was the first journalism organization that gave me the opportunity as a student to travel and meet others in the industry. I will never forget the way it felt to attend my first national SPJ conference in 2011 and make professional connections that have lasted now more than a decade. I believe this is the way to strengthen our industry — by allowing us to stand together.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I have been a regional officer in two regions, and I have been a chapter leader. When I was appointed to fill the vacancy in Region 10, it was going through a crisis, and in the past five years we have made significant progress, including holding our most successful in-person regional conference. I would like to continue to build on that momentum and make the region even better and stronger.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

I worked with Hagit Limor and David Cuiller to create the national Black Hole Award, which spotlights government officials who egregiously violate the public's right to know. The award was first given to the Utah State Legislature in 2011 after it railroaded through a bill that gutted the state's Government Records Access and Management Act, and I believe the award contributed to the public outcry that forced the legislature to rescind the law.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

SPJ's true strength lies in its chapters. They are the people who do the work and stand up for journalists. I want to see us provide more support for the chapters we have, as well as work to either restart chapters that have fallen dormant or start new ones, particularly on college campuses.

Why is SPJ important to you?

SPJ has always been more than "a bill and a Quill" for me since I first joined the Brigham Young University chapter. It represents what's best out our profession — talent, truth, energy. SPJ has helped me in my career in myriad ways, from professional development, to helping me advocate for open government and connecting me with some of the best people in our profession. And I see serving in the Society as repaying SPJ for what it has given me.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I believe I am the best candidate for this position as I have a growing network in the SF Bay area and I believe region 11 has a great opportunity to establish itself as a noteworthy region within the SPJ. I am also deeply passionate about the SPJ and its mission and I hope to bring more journalists from RC11 into the SPJ if selected for this position.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

As part of the awards and honors committee, I have contributed towards managing categories for our various awards. The work included excluding and including new categories and combining categories.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

I would boost the presence of region 11 in the SPJ if I am elected and encourage the participation of journalists from states like Hawaii.

Why is SPJ important to you?

The SPJ has helped me build a trustworthy network of like-minded people in journalism. The SPJ is important to me as it makes me believe in the mission of journalism and work hard towards upholding the truth through my reporting.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I love journalism and SPJ. I’ve spent countless hours in service to the society and its members. I’ve said this before, but I know there is always someone smarter, more qualified, more well-spoken and better out there, but I’m willing to step up, and I’m a hard worker — I get things done.

What is an example of a change you have made or helped make within SPJ?

Much of my involvement has been on the chapter level or working with chapter leaders. I helped lead the reinvigoration of both the UALR campus chapter during my time there and the Arkansas Pro Chapter by establishing a precedent of hosting monthly events and networking opportunities. Now, we aim to do that in Memphis.

But not every SPJer is a chapter member, so I’ve also reached out and provided regional scholarships to our members who aren’t affiliated with a chapter to ensure they also have a voice in SPJ.

Together, we have raised the bar of our annual Region 12 conference. Only some have the means and opportunity to attend the national convention, so offering regional top-notch educational experiences is critical to developing our area journalists.

Although I was not officially a member of the Task Force on Student Chapter Formation in 2021, I participated in nearly all of its meetings, which led to relaxed minimum requirements for starting a campus chapter and worked to identify Historically Black Colleges and Universities that could benefit from establishing SPJ chapters.

This effort went hand in hand with my work on the Membership Committee, which supported a new partnership with collegiate journalism groups for membership bundles, in our aim to be producers of journalism’s future.

And I believe my persistence in requests for SPJ board and committee transparency has helped move the needle forward in the spirit of open meetings.

What is a specific change you would make within SPJ if you were elected?

We’ve got ideas. We need more opportunities for communication and collaboration between chapters and members. One of my goals this term is for a virtual SPJ Innovation Summit where all members are welcome, and we get together informally to spit-ball ideas with sessions on membership, programs, finance/fundraising, advocacy and others. Let’s build on each other’s ideas, and take them all down, then the chapters, committees, boards and regional coordinators can work on implementing the ones that rise to the top.

Additionally, in the region, we have several dormant chapters struggling to get reactive after hurricanes, tornadoes and the isolation of the pandemic. I want to work with them this term to identify leaders and programs that will engage members, grow SPJ’s network, and encourage more professional-student outreach.

Why is SPJ important to you?

SPJ links us with a network of people who understand and appreciate the difficulties we face as journalists. But more than that, SPJ offers a plethora of professional-development opportunities, helps guide the practice of journalism with the highest standards through the Code of Ethics, encourages diversity, supports journalists with the Legal Defense Fund, FOI and Ethics hotlines, and protects sunshine laws and freedom of the press with advocacy.