Jeanne Brooks, a former staff member at the Online News Association whose contributions propelled the organization’s early growth and success driving innovation at the intersection of journalism and tech, passed away on Jan. 5, 2025.
Jeanne was part of the ONA team from 2009–2013, serving first as the Community Engagement Manager and then as Digital Director. “Her role was to identify and engage our growing community, which was widespread, diverse and, for the most part, unconnected,” recalled Jane McDonnell, ONA’s Executive Director from 2008–2017. “I thought engagement was her sweet spot (and it was), but it was only one of many.”
Jeanne forged diverse partnerships that strengthened ONA’s position as the leading convener and resource for journalists navigating rapidly changing tech platforms and tools. She expanded programs like ONA’s annual conference, including creating the Midway to highlight startups and emerging tech; ONA Local, a network of volunteers gathering their local journalism peers for regular meetups; and ONACamps, a training series tailored to the needs of small community and nonprofit newsroom staff, independent journalists and entrepreneurs. Her work helped transition ONA to an organization with a large national and then global reach.
“She not only built strong networks by bringing everyone together, regardless of title and expertise level; she then went on to spark the conference and local programming they needed to master the dizzying array of digital tools popping up left and right,” Jane McDonnell added. “She also addressed the glaring equity issues in digital journalism—a lifelong mission for her—by making sure our conference presenters reached gender and diversity parity. Epic brain, big emotions, big heart. I know she left a legacy of strength to her young daughter.”
“Jeanne’s passion for building a strong community for digital journalists was evident in everything she did,” said former ONA CEO Irving Washington, who worked closely with Jeanne during his first few years leading programs at ONA. “Her work laid a foundation that continues to benefit the broader journalism community today. Her contributions will forever have its place in the history of digital journalism.”
Colleagues and peers remember Jeanne as especially generous, the person you can count on to show up when you need support and a strong ally who “never backed down.”
“In 2013, I was chosen to fill the diversity seat on ONA’s board. Jeanne was one of the first to reach out to me,” said Benét J. Wilson, who ultimately served on the board of directors for eight years. “She gave me the lay of the land so I understood what was going on. More important than that, Jeanne, along with then-executive director Jane McDonnell, was a true ally for me and ONA members of color. Jeanne was a kind, generous spirit who was always there when you needed her. She will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to her family.”
Robert Hernandez, who was also new to the ONA board in 2013, described Jeanne as “a force for good, force for change, and a genuine ally” who impacted many people’s careers and lives. He said, “I will admit now: She and I, along with others, conspired to change the organization that had once given a board ‘diversity appointment’ seat to an old white guy in radio. Change is possible if people come together to do the work. Jeanne ‘MF’ Brooks was brilliant, passionate and just so fierce.”
Jeanne approached her work with a distinct mix of seriousness, curiosity and fun.
“There are so many ways to remember the epic spirit and fantastic human being that was Jeanne Brooks but for some reason I turn to my emails. Emails from Jeanne were always these strange conversations in progress, these tiny requests that led to big adventures,” said Latoya Peterson, former Content Producer at ONA and a longtime community member.
She added, “Emails from her work address were tactile and focused. We discussed our (then extremely important) Tumblr account, integrating live blogging services like ScribbleLive, the initial selection of the first AP-Google Scholars and the first MJ Bear fellows, panels at SXSW, helping Doug Mitchell incubate the first batch of NewU Fellows. Emails from her personal address were all things that needed to exist in the world. An experimental film we made in 48 hours, press briefings with the DOJ, documentaries about amazing women in journalism, a random free trip to Nigeria and a good amount of chatter. Working with Jeanne was always a chaotic mix of fun, idealism, pragmatism and screaming into the void. But Jeanne was always dedicated to making the world a better place, one meltdown at a time.”
In Jeanne’s memory, ONA has made a contribution to an education fund for her daughter. If you would like to add tributes or stories here to honor Jeanne’s impact on ONA and the journalism community, contact Director of Communications Karolle Rabarison at karolle@journalists.org.