Poynter opens 2026 Leadership Academy for Women in Media

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last month

The Poynter Institute’s 2026 Leadership Academy for Women in Media will train 40 participants to lead with confidence, ethics, and purpose from March 23–27, 2026.

Summary

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — The Poynter Institute has announced its 2026 Leadership Academy for Women in Media, a weeklong program designed to equip women and nonbinary journalists with essential leadership and management skills to shape the media organizations of the future. Scheduled for March 23–27, 2026, the academy will accept 40 participants from around the world.

Since its launch in 2015, the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Media has transformed the careers of more than 650 alumni. The program helps participants strengthen managerial abilities, navigate ethical decisions, handle complex workplace dynamics, and build meaningful professional networks. Many graduates describe the experience as transformative, fostering lifelong connections and mentorships.

Poynter reports that the program’s impact extends well beyond the training week. According to a 2023 survey of alumni, 75 percent said they gained greater confidence in themselves and the journalism industry, 72 percent apply lessons from the academy weekly, and 60 percent have since advanced into new or expanded leadership roles.

The 2026 edition will once again be led by Kate Cox, a former editor-in-chief of The Counter, and Fernanda Camarena, an award-winning journalist with over two decades of experience in leadership, ethics, and editorial standards. Together, they guide participants through hands-on workshops, candid discussions, and peer-to-peer learning designed to strengthen newsroom leadership.

The academy is open to all women, including cis and trans women, as well as nonbinary and gender nonconforming journalists who are comfortable in a space centered on women’s experiences in media.

For more information, click here.

PHOTO: AI-generated and depicting a conceptual newsroom scene.

KEY POINTS:

• Poynter Institute to host its 2026 Leadership Academy for Women in Media from March 23–27.
• The program trains women and nonbinary journalists in leadership, ethics, and management.
• Since 2015, more than 650 alumni have benefited from the academy’s career-shaping experience.
• A 2023 survey shows that most graduates gained confidence and advanced into leadership roles.
• The 2026 session will be led by Kate Cox and Fernanda Camarena.
• The program is open to 40 participants worldwide.