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
- Versha Sharma, Co-Chair
- Angela Pacienza, Co-Chair
- Susan Gonzalez, Member
- Imaeyen Ibanga, Member
Staff Liaison
- Hollie Schultz, Lead
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
- Rubina Fillion, Co-Chair
- Niketa Patel, Co-Chair
- Elana Zak, Vice Chair
- Shazna Nessa, Member
Staff Liaison
- Diana Lopez, Lead
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
- Andrew Fitzgerald, Chair
- Ashley Alvarado, Vice Chair
- Graham Watson-Ringo, Member
- Charo Henríquez, Member
Staff Liaison
- Trevor Knoblich, Lead
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
- Fergus Bell, Chair
- Anita Zielina, Vice Chair
- Rodney Gibbs, Member
- Anita Li, Member
Staff Liaison
- Meghan Murphy, Lead
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee manages the approval of the budget and audit, monitors and reports on the financial status and activities of the organization, and ensures the financial policies and practices are followed.
Members
- Rodney Gibbs, Chair
- David Smydra, Member
- Charo Henríquez, Member
- Anita Li, Member
Staff Liaison
- Liz Leith, Lead
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for working in support of, or occasionally in place of, the full board. The committee also 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
- Rodney Gibbs, Treasurer
- Anita Li, Secretary
- Shazna Nessa, Immediate Past President
Staff Liaison
- Irving Washington, Executive Director/CEO