The Pennsylvania News Leaders Association (PNLA) is a committee of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA) and works closely with the PNA Foundation to provide timely and affordable training opportunities, as well as updating the Professional Keystone Media Awards to ensure its relevancy. We also assist with the implementation of the Keystone Media Awards Celebration, where top editors, reporters, photographers, designers, digital content producers and broadcasters gather to celebrate excellence in the industry.
In addition, we support the Student Keystone Media Awards Contest, the Student Keystone Media Awards Event and other training opportunities for scholastic and collegiate journalists to help prepare the next generation of media professionals.
Collaborate, invigorate and stay connected. Become a member of PNLA today!
Professionals: Join us in giving back to the journalism community and mentoring our future journalists, staffers and co-workers. There will be networking opportunities to create a comradery unlike any other. Individual professional membership is just $35 a year. Freelance journalists are encouraged to join PNLA to obtain the member discount when entering the Keystone Media Awards Contest.
Students: Join us to help form the future of the journalism profession. There will be networking opportunities to create a comradery unlike any other and possibly find that first job of your journalism career. Student membership is available for $10 a year.
Membership runs from August 1 through July 31. Sign up each year.
Join now and enjoy member benefits for more than a year – renewal will be due August 1, 2026!
PNLA’s Mission Statement:
The Pennsylvania News Leaders Association, a committee of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, promotes and advocates the critical role of journalism and a free press in Pennsylvania by improving professional standards, training and education; developing and mentoring aspiring journalists; encouraging diversity and collaboration; and recognizing outstanding work.
2023-24 PNLA Board of Directors
Chairperson: Marta Gouger, The Times News, Lehighton
Vice Co-Chairs: Larry Holeva, The Times-Tribune, Scranton; and Marea Mannion, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University
Secretary: Nick Falsone, The Express-Times, Bethlehem
Board Members: Teresa Bonner, PennLive/The Patriot-News, Harrisburg; Tim Lambert, Harrisburg; Cindi Lash, WESA, Pittsburgh; Mark Lawrence, WKOK, Sunbury; Teresa Lindeman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Dennis Lyons; Matt Martin, Erie Times-News; Cassie Miller, Pennsylvania Capital-Star; Tom Murse, LNP | LancasterOnline; Patrick O’Shea, Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger; Christina Paciolla, The Associated Press; Ted Sickler, LNP | LancasterOnline; and James Williams, Uptown Standard, Philadelphia.
Advisory Board (past presidents of the two former organizations and other retired media leaders):
Liz Allen, Cate Barron, Tom Barstow, Becky Bennett, Scott Blanchard, Sandra Clark, David Erdman, Wade Fowler, Ced Kurtz, Garry Lenton, Susan Martin, James McClure, Chip Minemyer, Terry Rang, Ray Shaw, F. Hope Stephan, and David Troisi.
Lifetime members:
- John V. R. Bull
- Harry J. Deitz, Jr.
- Woodene B. Merriman
- Ernest J. Schreiber
Have an issue you’d like the PNLA Board to address? We’d love to hear your ideas, thoughts and/or suggestions!
Email Teresa Shaak or phone 717-703-3003.
Special PNLA Awards
In its 75 years, PNLA has presented this award of distinction to Pennsylvania journalists only twice. In 2012, the organization – then known as PSNE – recognized Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage by The Patriot-News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Then, in 2023, the PNLA Board, in conjunction with the PNA Foundation, recognized Harry J. Deitz, Sr. for his more than 70 years of tireless community storytelling and devotion to journalism. Read our most recent press release.
About PSNE
Since 1949, the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors (PSNE) offered many opportunities for editors to network statewide and find real solutions to the challenges they face. Editors are under the constant demands of fast-paced deadlines, newsroom management issues, and ever-changing industry developments. PSNE’s purpose was to not only help with those concerns, but to improve the craft of journalism and recognize the best in news coverage from across the state.
In 2022, the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors (PSNE) and the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors (PAPME) groups merged to join forces as the Pennsylvania News Leaders Association (PNLA). PNLA continues the work that both PSNE and PAPME have been addressing over the years and plan to move forward with even more opportunities and ideas.