JAWS CAMP 2026 Keynote: An Interview with Monika Bauerlein
JAWS CAMP 2026: Join us Sunday, Oct. 3 for a conversation with Monika Bauerlein, CEO of the Center for Investigative Reporting, a multiplatform nonprofit newsroom that reaches 10 million+ each month via Mother Jones magazine and digital channels, the Reveal radio show and podcast, and multiple social and video channels.
The interview will be conducted by JAWS President and automotive editor for MediaPost’s Marketing Daily, Tanya Gazdik, as well as JAWS board member Julia Métraux, Mother Jones' first disability reporter.
JAWS’ annual Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) will be held Oct. 2-4, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric Delfina in Santa Monica, California.
Registration for the conference is open! Reserve your spot now:
Stay at the CAMP meeting hotel and use the reservation link below for the discounted booking rate. Benefits include NO destination fees and discounted valet parking. Discounted rates end Sept. 10!
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
MONIKA BAUERLEIN
Monika Bauerlein is CEO of the Center for Investigative Reporting, a multiplatform nonprofit newsroom that reaches 10 million+ each month via Mother Jones magazine and digital channels, the Reveal radio show and podcast, and multiple social and video channels. Previously she served as Mother Jones’ co-editor (with Clara Jeffery). Under her tenure, the organization grew its audience twentyfold, tripled the size of its staff, established bureaus in Washington and New York, won multiple awards, and developed an innovative hybrid business model centered on reader support for investigative and in-depth reporting. In 2024, Bauerlein led the merger bringing together Mother Jones and the previous Center for Investigative Reporting.
TANYA GAZDIK
Tanya Gazdik is automotive editor at MediaPost's Marketing Daily. She is the chief programmer for MediaPost's Marketing: Automotive conferences held in conjunction with the New York and Los Angeles auto shows. A longtime automotive enthusiast, the Detroit native also freelances for websites including WardsAuto and A Girl’s Guide to Cars. She previously was animal welfare reporter at The (Toledo) Blade, Detroit bureau chief of Adweek, associate editor at Ward's Automotive Reports and Ward's AutoWorld. She started her career at The Associated Press as an editorial assistant and then a newswoman. She has both a B.A. in journalism and a J.D. from Michigan State University and she is president of the board of directors for The State News Inc., the multimillion-dollar nonprofit that funds the independent student media group at MSU. At JAWS, she is the captain of the Detroit regional group. She is a longtime animal lover and fosters animals for Michigan Humane, transports rescue dogs across the U.S./Canada border for Open Arms Transport, and serves on the board of directors for Leuk’s Landing, an Ann Arbor sanctuary and advocacy group for Feline Leukemia-positive cats.
JULIA METRAUX
Julia Métraux is Mother Jones' first disability reporter, where she covers disability as it relates to politics. In addition to being a board member of JAWS, Métraux is also a member of the Association of Healthcare Journalists and the Disabled Journalists Association. Métraux is also an alumna of UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and has received fellowships through JAWS, the National Press Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, and the Gerontological Society of America. She copes with the world by FaceTiming her family dog.
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FAQs
Where is Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) 2026? CAMP 2026 will be held October 2-4 at The Hyatt Centric Delfina, located at 530 Pico Blvdin sunny Santa Monica, CA. The hotel is steps from the world-famous Santa Monica pier along with restaurants, shops and entertainment.
The CAMP Site Selection Committee chose Santa Monica based on feedback from members urging a balance between an urban setting allowing easier travel with access to a get-away-from-it-all vibe. The committee also took into account the venue’s capacity, support for conferences, cost and location. We chose this location intentionally for its walkability, safety and convenience, prioritizing an environment where attendees can focus on community, learning and connection without added logistical stress.
What happens at CAMP? This will be JAWS’ 41st CAMP. While the format and size have varied over the years, the goal has not: to bring women* journalists together from different specialties, beats, demographics and geographies to share with, learn from and empower each other. There will be structured presentations and workshops, planned social events and free time for unstructured relationship-building and city exploration. The current, rough agenda is as follows:
Oct. 1: Self-organized social activities for early arrivals
Oct. 2: Daytime workshops, evening welcome reception at Ms. Magazine offices
Oct. 3: Morning plenaries, lunch provided, afternoon sessions, Books & Browse evening reception
Oct. 4: Morning member meeting, morning sessions, lunch provided, afternoon sessions
Oct. 5: Self-organized social activities for late departures
Will meals be provided? Yes! Lunch will be provided Saturday and Sunday. Other provided meals and receptions will be announced. Meals not on the official schedule will be unstructured, allowing attendees to explore nearby eateries and spend time together away from the venue.
What is the CAMP refund policy? CAMP registration at the Early Bird rate is non-refundable and non-transferable. Regular registration can be transferred before September 1, 2026 upon written request to hello@jaws.org.
Is conference sponsorship available? Yes! CAMP sponsors support programming and other CAMP activities, making it possible to keep the conference affordable for participants. More information is available below.