Leveraging Transformative Experience from the Online News Association Women's Leadership Accelerator Program

The Online News Association marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, and this study explores the experiences of 20 women identified as emerging digital news leaders who have completed the ONA Women’s Leadership Accelerator by 2020. Most of the study participants were under the age of 40 when the study was completed. ONA appears to be thriving in the journalism association world at a time when some legacy journalism companies and organizations are struggling. The ONA WLA training was often described as a “transformative” and “life-changing” experience by participants who praised the power of their cohort relationships and one-on-one mentoring. Since completing the ONA WLA program, at least 60% of the 20 women in this study have been promoted, assumed additional responsibility or changed jobs including 20% who are entrepreneurs. Keywords: Online news, digital news, women, leadership, journalism, entrepreneurship