Society of Professional Journalists Unveils 2026-27 Leadership Team at Columbus National Convention

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has officially ushered in a new era of leadership, announcing its 2026-27 Board of Directors and four newly elected regional coordinators. The election results, which cap off a competitive cycle of organizational democracy, were revealed to the membership on October 4 during the closing business meeting of the SPJ26 national convention, held in the heart of Ohio’s capital.

The newly installed leadership takes the helm at a critical juncture for the American media landscape. As newsrooms across the country navigate unprecedented economic headwinds, technological transformations—particularly the rise of generative artificial intelligence—and escalating legal and political challenges to the First Amendment, the SPJ’s incoming executive team has pledged an aggressive defense of press freedom, editorial independence, and journalistic ethics.

Freelance journalist and Sweet Owen Current founder Nicole DeCriscio has officially assumed the presidency, moving up from her previous role as vice president during the 2025–26 term. She is joined by an executive committee and board comprising veteran reporters, editors, and media advocates from diverse sectors of the modern media ecosystem.

Main Facts: The 2026-27 Executive Committee and Board

The leadership roster finalized at SPJ26 reflects a blend of continuity and fresh perspectives, drawing heavily from independent media, legacy print publications, and broadcasting.

• President: Nicole DeCriscio, a freelance journalist and founder of Sweet Owen Current, steps into the organization’s highest office after serving as vice president. DeCriscio’s grassroots experience in local and independent journalism is expected to heavily inform her presidential agenda, particularly regarding the support of micro-newsrooms and independent operators.
• Vice President: Stacie Overton Johnson, an independent freelance journalist, was elected to the vice presidency, positioning her as a key operational partner to DeCriscio and a primary liaison for the organization’s expansive membership base.
• Secretary-Treasurer: Patricia Gallagher Newberry, a veteran Quality of Life Enterprise Reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer and a past national president of SPJ, returns to the executive committee to manage the society’s financial stewardship and corporate governance.
• Elected At-Large Directors: Marty Fischhoff and Jillian Melero secured open at-large seats on the board through membership voting. They join Laura Garcia and Michelle Watson, who are stepping into the second year of their respective at-large terms.
• Appointed At-Large Directors: Following the conclusion of the general elections, the newly convened Board of Directors approved President DeCriscio’s appointments of Sue Kopen Katcef and Eric Deggans to the two appointed at-large director positions, bringing heavy-hitting broadcast and academic insight to the national table.

In addition to the national board, four regional coordinators were chosen to bridge the gap between grassroots membership chapters and national leadership. Though they do not sit on the Board of Directors per SPJ bylaws, these coordinators serve essential operational roles within their designated territories:

• Region 1: Christine McGrath, Communications Writer, Stony Brook University Advancement.
• Region 4: Ginny McCabe, Freelance Journalist and Author.
• Region 5: Marcus Green, Emmy-Winning Investigative Reporter.
• Region 9: McKenzie Romero, Editor, Utah News Dispatch.

Chronology of Events: From Campaign Trail to Convention Floor

The path to the 2026-27 leadership announcement was months in the making, culminating in a high-energy multi-day convention in Columbus.

Spring and Summer 2025–2026: Nominations and Campaigning

As SPJ26 approached, the organization’s Nominations Committee vetted candidates from across the country. Nominees for national office submitted platforms centered on financial stabilization, member retention, legal advocacy for jailed or harassed reporters, and the expansion of the SPJ’s educational footprint. Chapters across the nation hosted virtual forums and Q&A sessions, allowing members to vet candidates on key issues facing the Fourth Estate.

October 2–4, 2026: SPJ26 in Columbus, Ohio

Hundreds of professional journalists, journalism educators, and student leaders descended upon Columbus for SPJ26. The convention featured intensive professional development workshops, keynote addresses from leading investigative journalists, panel discussions on ethical reporting in the digital age, and networking events designed to foster mentorship across generations of media professionals.

October 4, 2026: The Closing Membership Meeting

The climax of the convention occurred on the final day during the annual membership meeting. Election results for national executive seats, at-large directors, and regional coordinators were officially tallied and announced to the convention floor.

Immediately following the general sessions, the newly constituted Board of Directors convened its first official meeting. During this inaugural session, the board voted unanimously to approve President DeCriscio’s recommendations for the appointed at-large seats, officially seating Sue Kopen Katcef and Eric Deggans to complete the roster. The new leaders formally assumed their duties immediately upon the adjournment of the convention.

Supporting Data: The Anatomy of Modern SPJ Leadership

A closer examination of the 2026-27 roster reveals key structural shifts in who is leading America’s premier journalism advocacy organization. Historically dominated by metropolitan daily newspaper staffers, the current leadership reflects the dramatic migration of journalism talent toward digital-first, freelance, and niche digital news operations.

• The Rise of Independent and Freelance Voices: With both President Nicole DeCriscio and Vice President Stacie Overton Johnson coming from independent/freelance backgrounds, the executive branch of SPJ is uniquely positioned to address the precarious economic realities of the modern gig-economy journalist.
• Geographic and Institutional Diversity: The regional coordinators span from higher education communications (Region 1’s Christine McGrath) to statehouse and accountability digital journalism (Region 9’s McKenzie Romero, editor of the Utah News Dispatch), ensuring that the organization hears the distinct challenges of local media markets, whether in the urban Northeast or the Mountain West.
• Longevity and Institutional Memory: The inclusion of experienced figures like Patricia Gallagher Newberry (Secretary-Treasurer) and appointed director Eric Deggans ensures that the board retains deep institutional knowledge regarding legal defense frameworks, press freedom lobbying, and accreditation standards.

Official Responses and Statements

Leadership and staff emphasized that the incoming team faces both profound challenges and unique opportunities as public trust in media hits historical inflection points.

SPJ Executive Director Caroline Hendrie underscored the vital nature of member engagement during her remarks on the transition:

“SPJ’s strength comes from members who are willing to step forward and serve. This year’s leaders bring a wide range of experience and perspectives, along with a shared commitment to protecting journalism, supporting journalists and ensuring SPJ remains a strong voice for a free and ethical press.”

In her inaugural statements, President Nicole DeCriscio emphasized that the society must double down on its foundational mission: defending the rights of working journalists while holding the industry to the highest possible ethical standards. The organization reiterated its ongoing invitation for reporters, editors, and media consumers alike to throw their weight behind the cause through membership and donations to crucial institutional safety nets.

“SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals,” leadership noted in a joint organizational statement released in Columbus.

Implications for the Future of Journalism

The installation of the 2026-27 SPJ leadership carries wide-ranging implications for the broader American media landscape over the next year:

1. Amplifying the Freelance Workforce

With independents at the head of the table, SPJ is expected to increase its programming, advocacy, and resource allocation for freelance and contract journalists. This includes tackling chronic issues such as delayed payments, lack of health care access, copyright protection in the age of AI web-scraping, and physical safety protections during civil unrest or investigative assignments.

2. Doubling Down on the First Amendment and Legal Defense

As state and federal pressures on confidential sources, newsroom searches, and public records access mount, the SPJ Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and the First Amendment Forever Fund will rely heavily on the new board’s strategic oversight. The board’s diverse background in investigative reporting ensures a firsthand understanding of the legal threats facing reporters in the field.

3. Fostering Next-Generation Ethics and Diversity

Through regional coordinators like Marcus Green (an Emmy-winning investigative reporter) and established educators, the society aims to mentor emerging student journalists. By instilling robust ethical frameworks early in their careers, SPJ hopes to rebuild public trust in the validity and reliability of reported news.

The full roster of the 2026-27 SPJ Board of Directors, alongside regional coordinator contact details and chapter resources, can be accessed directly at spj.org. Journalists wishing to support press freedom initiatives are encouraged to explore membership options or contribute to the SPJ Legal Defense Fund, First Amendment Forever Fund, and the SPJ Foundation.