National Press Club Journalism Institute has new president, welcomes 2025 Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ed Kelley, a longtime champion for journalists with a background in local media and academia, will lead the National Press Club Journalism Institute as its 2025-26 president of its volunteer Board of Directors. The 15-member body provides the strategic direction and oversight of the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.

"Particularly gratifying is when journalists in small newsrooms across the country see the Institute as an important source and partner to better serve their communities," said Kelley. "The board of directors reflects the Institute's national footprint, with members who work in and outside of Washington."

Kelley takes over the position from Gil Klein, who led the Institute as president through three years of significant growth despite challenges brought on during the pandemic.

"The Institute is in a position of strength, much of it thanks to Gil's experience, expertise, and energy," Kelley said.

From 2015 to 2023, Kelley served as dean of the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma (OU). A recipient of numerous journalism awards, Kelley was named National Editor of the Year in 1996 by the National Press Foundation for directing The Oklahoman's coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing. He served as a juror to the Pulitzer Prizes in 1998 and is a member of the National Press Club. Kelley was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Great Plains Journalism Hall of Fame in 2023. He divides his time between Washington and Oklahoma City.

Institute board members bring decades of experience and leadership to help the Institute achieve its mission: To power journalism in the public interest. Also joining the board for her first term is Alisa Parenti, breaking news editor at Bloomberg News and vice president of the National Press Club's Board of Governors.

Parenti joins Kelley and returning board directors:

• Mike Balsamo, U.S. law enforcement news editor at The Associated Press and 2025 National Press Club president
• Jamila Bey, editorial director at WHYY Philadelphia
• Danielle Coffey, president and CEO at News/Media Alliance
• Mara Gassmann, senior staff attorney at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
• Tom Huang, assistant managing editor for journalism initiatives at The Dallas Morning News
• Jen Judson, land warfare reporter at Defense News and a past National Press Club president
• Gil Klein, immediate past president for the Institute and a past National Press Club president
• Alison Fitzgerald Kodjak, assistant managing editor at ProPublica and a past National Press Club president
• Delano Massey, managing editor of local at Axios
• Paul Merrion, former Washington Bureau Chief for Crain's Chicago Business and Institute treasurer
• Eileen Drage O'Reilly, managing editor of standards and training at Axios and a past National Press Club president
• Mizell Stewart III, president and CEO of Emerging Leaders, LLC; professional-in-residence, School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University; and Institute Secretary
• Emily Wilkins, Washington correspondent at CNBC and immediate past National Press Club president

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute

The Institute is a 501(c)(3) journalism support organization that promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. Work includes producing training and published resources for journalists and the public, administering scholarships and opportunities for new journalists, and convening experts on topical issues facing the industry.

The Institute's work is sustained by contributions from donors and grant funders. Your donation today in any amount will help us deliver quality training to thousands of journalists around the U.S. (Tax ID: 52-1750908)

Press contact: Beth Francesco, executive director, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute