Women’s Leadership Accelerator 2019

The Women’s Leadership Accelerator is an intensive program that supercharges the leadership and management skills of women who are pushing digital innovation. The tuition-free program kicks off with a week of tailored, immersive programming for 26 promising women leaders Feb. 10-15, 2019 at the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center in Los Angeles. ONA provides support and coaching to participants throughout the year; the program culminates with a workshop at ONA’s annual conference.

These 26 women leaders were selected from a pool of more than 400 applicants to participate in the 2019 Women’s Leadership Accelerator. They represent five countries and include entrepreneurs, freelancers and leaders at diverse news organizations — from local news to broadcasting to international digital media. Women in the program are focused on social impact, creating new ways to reach their audience and innovating within legacy news organizations. Throughout the year, they will work with top minds in digital media to tackle challenges specific to their careers.

Editorial Director, Strategy and Operations
POLITICO
Senior Product Manager
The Atlantic
Senior Photo Editor
The Intercept
Midwest Correspondent
Kaiser Health News
Director of Digital Video, FRONTLINE PBS
WGBH
Data visuals editor
Texas Tribune
Young Audiences Editor
The Wall Street Journal
assistant program director
MPR News
Lead Video Journalist
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Content Research & Strategy, News Innovation
ABC News (Australia)
Supervising Producer
CNN Digital
Assistant Managing Editor, Digital
Philadelphia Inquirer
Executive Product Manager
BBC
Education Editor/Assistant Metro Editor
The Seattle Times
Video Producer, Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker
Freelance
Editor in Chief
La Voz de Guanacaste
Freelance, Senior Producer, Trump, Inc.
WNYC and ProPublica
CEO/Editor in Chief
Coda Story

Founder
Kali Media
Snapchat Editor
Vogue International, Condé Nast International
Senior Audience Editor
The New York Times
Publisher
Bitch Media
Executive Editor
Animal Politico
Freelance
The Irish Times
Deputy Engagement Editor
SB Nation

The Women’s Leadership Accelerator provides:

  • A week of hands-on personal and professional work; candid discussions about leadership, work-life balance and problem-solving in the newsroom; deep dives on developing leadership and management skills; inspiring visits to digital media organizations; and one-on-one mentoring from industry leaders Feb. 10-15, 2019, in Los Angeles.
  • A year of check-ins and practical, targeted guidance and personal coaching on individual challenges.
  • Registration, travel and accommodations for the 2019 Online News Association Conference (ONA19) in New Orleans.
  • A half-day workshop for women in the program during ONA19.
  • The opportunity to be a part of a cohort of peers to serve as a strong career-long support system.

2019 Speakers and Mentors

The 2019 Accelerator connected the cohort to a range of prominent speakers and mentors.

Supporters

The Women’s Leadership Accelerator is tuition-free thanks to the support of lead funder Dow Jones Foundation, and additional support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Microsoft News, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation; Alley, WordPress.com VIP; KCRW, KPCC + LAist; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products; John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowships and MM.LaFleur.

Dow Jones Foundation

We are seeking more partners committed to investing in women’s leadership and digital journalism. If you are interested in supporting the Accelerator program, contact Jessica Strelitz, Head of Strategic Partnerships, at jessica@journalists.org, to discuss opportunities.