All ONA committees and advisory boards, chaired and run by Board members and other community leaders, work with the ONA Executive Director and staff to focus on issues of importance to digital journalists.
Awards and Recognition Committee
The Awards and Recognition Committee is responsible for highlighting innovation and excellence in journalism through our Online Journalism Awards and individual award recognition programs, including the Rich Jaroslovsky Founder Award, James Foley Award, Impact Award and ONA Community Award. The committee oversees the entry and judging processes and rules governing the awards.
Members
- Angela Pacienza, Chair
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Vice Chair
- Versha Sharma, Member
- Ashley Alvarado, Member
Staff Liaison
- Hollie Schultz
- Carrie Blazina
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee is responsible for ongoing review and recommendations to enhance the quality and future viability of the board of directors. The committee’s revolves around five areas: board roles and responsibilities, board composition, board knowledge, board effectiveness and board leadership. The committee also oversees the annual elections.
Members
- Elana Zak, Co-Chair
- Andrew Fitzgerald, Co-Chair
- Rodney Gibbs, Vice Chair
- Kristen Reed, Member
Staff Liaison
- Diana López
- Liz Leith
Program Evaluation Committee
The Program Evaluation Committee is responsible for working with ONA staff each year to audit program goals, measurement, impact and outcomes. The committee provides knowledgeable governance-level oversight and support to devise clear and consistent ways to measure progress towards goals, emphasizing all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion. Committee members may also serve as peer reviewers, mentors and volunteers for ONA programs.
Members
- Graham Watson-Ringo, Co-Chair
- Rubina Madan Fillion, Co-Chair
- Elizabeth Gabriel, Member
- Kristen Reed, Member
Staff Liaison
- Lauren Anderson
- Kelsey Proud
Global Advisory Committee
The Global Advisory Committee provides knowledgeable governance-level oversight and support to devise clear and consistent ways for ONA’s operations to continue to be inclusive of a diverse, global community.
Members
- Niketa Patel, Chair
- Fergus Bell, Vice Chair
- Anita Li, Member
Staff Liaison
- Meghan Murphy
- Karolle Rabarison
- Bill Brady
Executive & Finance Oversight Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for working in support of, or occasionally in place of, the full board. The committee also manages organizational finances overseeing the approval of the budget, monitoring and reporting on the financial status and activities of the organization, and ensuring the financial policies and practices are followed. In addition, the committee formulates ONA’s position on legal and ethical standards in the field in three primary ways:
- Advising the board on the lawsuits ONA should get involved in, either as a party or as an amicus (or “friend of the court”), and reviews and comments on proposed briefs to make sure that the positions taken are consistent with the interests of ONA’s members.
- Evaluating proposed legislation that may have an impact on journalists, particularly journalists whose work is distributed in digital formats, with a view toward weighing in on pending legislation as appropriate.
- Monitor ethical best practices and high journalistic standards related to digital news and emerging tech.
Members
- David Smydra, President
- Charo Henríquez, Vice President
- Andrew Fitzgerald, Treasurer
- Niketa Patel, Secretary
Staff Liaison
- LaSharah S. Bunting, Executive Director/CEO
- Trevor Knoblich, Chief Knowledge Officer
- Jessica Strelitz, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer