Tanya Gazdik becomes JAWS president in board transition
Tanya Gazdik/JAWS board president 2025-2027
Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Board of Directors, following a September election and installation at this past weekend’s Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) in Washington, DC.
Tanya Gazdik became president after serving the last year in the role of president-elect. She will serve in the position for the next two years.
“JAWS is all about support of women in journalism, both professionally and personally,” Gazdik says. “I felt that support at my first CAMP over a decade ago and it’s our strength and what sets us apart from other professional groups. Journalists need support more than ever. Without journalism, democracy crumbles.”
With a 30-year career as a reporter, editor and newsroom leader, Gazdik is automotive editor at MediaPost and a freelance writer for automotive publications including WardsAuto and A Girl’s Guide To Cars.
Sheila Solomon, an award-winning former newspaper reporter and editor and host of Senior Planet’s podcast, Aging Rewired, joins the board in the one-year term of officer-at-large, while Margarita Birnbaum, an independent interpreter, translator and journalist, joins the board in the two-year term of secretary.
Elected to two-year board member positions are:
Jasmine Aguilera, the audience and collaboration strategist for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica Investigative Unit. Aguilera had been appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in November 2024.
Jody Beck, retired, a journalist educator who ran the Scripps Howard Foundation’s Semester in Washington internship program for 13 years.
Kathy Bonk, co-founder of the Communications Consortium Media Center in Washington who is a consultant to several foundations, Georgetown School of Public Policy and the Youth Law Center.
Kari Mar, founder and publisher of La Conner Community, an independent, locally-owned newspaper that serves as a trusted and inclusive platform forLa Conner, Wash. and surrounding communities.
Linda Jue (vice president), Keeley Webster (treasurer), Lottie Joiner, Andrea Shalal, Sana Siwolop, and Sylvia Snowden continue in their board roles.
Angela Greiling Keane, news director for Bloomberg Government, who served as president since 2023, concluded her board service, along with secretary Gwyneth Doland and director Barbara Selvin. JAWS thanks them for their service.
The board transition occurred during this year’s CAMP (Conference and Mentoring Program) held in Washington, DC, where the organization marked its 40th anniversary.
About the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS)
Arising from a first meeting of women journalists in 1985, JAWS advances the professional empowerment and personal growth of women* in journalism and advocates for more inclusive coverage of the diverse experiences and cultures that comprise our society. We believe that by advancing women in journalism, we transform the world.
JAWS brings together working journalists, journalism educators and researchers from across the country to share resources, support, training and information about issues that affect women in our field. We meet in person and online in an atmosphere of mutual support and enthusiastic interest in one another’s differing experiences and journalistic dreams.
*“Women” here includes anyone who self-identifies as a woman, or as a non-binary, gender-nonconforming or agender person. Learn more at jaws.org.