A total of eight candidates — four new nominees and four incumbents, representing a wide and diverse range of digital media — ran for six open seats in the 2021–22 Online News Association Board of Directors election.
There are a total of 16 seats on the ONA Board, including one appointed, non-voting student representative. Eight directors were up for re-election. The other eight members are serving their current two-year terms through 2021. The Board will appoint two additional seats for the 2021-22 term before the end of the year.
Terms are for two years and begin Jan. 1, 2021.
The 2021 ONA Board election opened on Oct. 20, 2020. At that time, ONA members as of Oct. 16 were eligible to cast ballots. Voting closed Oct. 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The eight candidates all had the opportunity to give lightning talks during an online event on Oct. 21. Their talks are available here.
Winners
The new directors joining the Board Jan. 1, 2021 are:
- Anita Zielina, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Newmark J-School at CUNY
- Susan Gonzalez, Social Media Strategist, Chalkbeat
The re-elected members are:
- Rodney Gibbs, Executive Director, RevLab at The Texas Tribune
- Niketa Patel, Senior News Partnerships Manager, Twitter
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Presenter, AJ+
- Rubina Fillion, Director of Audience, The New York Times Opinion
Voter turnout was 7.20% of ONA’s eligible membership; out of 2,374 eligible voters, 171 voted.
Incumbent Candidates
- Rodney Gibbs, Executive Director, RevLab at The Texas Tribune
- Niketa Patel, Senior News Partnerships Manager, Twitter
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Presenter, AJ+
- Rubina Fillion, Director of Audience, The New York Times Opinion
New Candidates
- Susan Gonzalez, Social Media Strategist, Chalkbeat
- Anita Zielina, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Newmark J-School at CUNY
- Andrew Fitzgerald, Chief Digital Content Officer, Hearst Television
- Dustin Block, Audience Development Lead, Graham Media Group