The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Adelante Academy proudly announces the inaugural cohort of the Latina Leadership Program. This milestone initiative, launching in the same year as NAHJ’s 40th anniversary, aims to develop the next generation of Latina executives in U.S. newsrooms.
The 10 women are rising stars at outlets ranging from the ABC News, CNN, NBC News, The New York Times and The Washington Post, to Enlace Latino NC, The Dallas Morning News, LAist, the Marshall Project and Rolling Stone.
“It’s not enough to have more Latinas in news, we need more Latinas in leadership positions to change the way media covers our increasingly diverse country,” said Yaneth Guillén-Diaz, NAHJ executive director. “This program will unlock the leadership potential of these incredible women and equip them to succeed at the highest level.”
The Latina Leadership Program is the inaugural initiative of the NAHJ Adelante Academy, created to accelerate the career development of NAHJ members. Future programs will serve different groups and career stages.
The program is a six-month journey designed to forge the next generation of Latina news executives. It kicks off at Columbia University’s Pulitzer Hall with a deep dive into leadership hard skills, followed by an exploration of the unique challenges and opportunities for Latina leaders in the industry. Blending high-impact in-person sessions with virtual learning, the curriculum then advances into technology and AI, preparing participants for the future of newsroom leadership.
The finale takes place at the NAHJ’s 40th Anniversary Conference in Hollywood, where participants will showcase the projects they have developed during the program. Central to the program is the mentorship component; each participant will receive tailored guidance from a handpicked mentor, ensuring personalized development and support for their ambitious projects. This journey is not just about skill acquisition but a transformative experience, fostering connections, insights, and a powerful network of Latina leaders ready to redefine the journalism landscape.
“This NAHJ initiative addresses the unique challenges facing Latinas in U.S. journalism and empowers them to emerge as visible, team-oriented decision-makers and leaders,” said Natalia Algarin, Adelante Academy program manager. “We’re committed to ensuring that our inaugural cohort embarks on a journey that is as expansive in scope as it is transcendent in personal and professional growth.”
The 10 members of the Latina Leadership Program cohort represent a range of news outlets and journalistic disciplines. Elda Cantú of The New York Times and Paola Jaramillo of Enlace Latino NC are at the forefront of amplifying Spanish-speaking voices, with Elda focusing on the Times’ Spanish content and Paola innovating in community-focused journalism. CNN’s Flora Charner aims to further elevate her Emmy-Award winner team’s international coverage, while Rolling Stone’s Julyssa López is reshaping music journalism with her focus on Latino stories. Erika Angulo of NBC News is working to diversify the media’s portrayal of Latinos.
The Marshall Project’s Ana Mendez exemplifies leadership in bridging information gaps. Victoria Moll-Ramírez of ABC News Live is a pioneer in the field of streaming news, particularly for the Latino community. Lorena Flores of The Dallas Morning News is redefining audience engagement strategies; Maite Fernández Simon of The Washington Post offers strategic insights into digital journalism; and Leslie Berestein Rojas’ commitment to authentic community representation at LAist 89.3.
“We are thrilled to bring together these leaders and innovators for our inaugural Adelante Academy program,” said Yvette Cabrera, NAHJ national board chair. “They will have a chance to learn from their instructors, their mentors and from each other. Together, these women are poised to make a transformative impact on journalism.”
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