Applications are now live for the second ONA-Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media. The week-long, tuition-free program will provide training and networking opportunities to 28 emerging women leaders, selected from the applicant pool. Led by prominent women leaders in the startup, tech, media and academic fields, faculty will include Amy O’Leary, editorial director of Upworthy; Jenn Brandel, founder and CEO of Hearken; Sisi Wei, investigative journalist and full-stack developer at ProPublica; Kelly McBride, Poynter’s vice president of academic programs; and Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Poynter’s digital innovation faculty member.
The academy, held the week of May 1 at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., will focus on leadership skills, digital project management strategies and best practices in management. Interactive training sessions will be led by standout experts in technology and media, and will include 1-1 mentoring, outstanding networking opportunities and a supportive cohort of talented peers.
This year, we are focusing on emerging leaders. Last year’s class had nearly 500 applicants, and we’re expecting another strong response, so successful applicants will need to demonstrate potential leadership abilities through existing projects, a keen understanding of digital media and professional references. ONA and Poynter are aiming to unite a group that represents need and diversity across ethnicity, geography, technology platforms, organization size and skill sets. Here’s a look at last year’s class and guest faculty, as well as an overview of topics covered during the program.
Tuition is free, thanks to the generous support of the program’s naming sponsor, The McClatchy Foundation, as well as additional funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Craig Newmark. Participants will cover their own travel costs, but a limited number of travel stipends will be available.