The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes First Amendment values by equipping journalists in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the skills, knowledge, standards, resources, and networks to empower and inform the public.
The Institute accomplishes this mission by offering programs to grow the number of people who produce and support journalism; protecting journalists from interference so they can fully and fairly represent the communities they serve; and increasing transparency to keep citizens well-informed and their governments and institutions accountable.
You can read the Institute’s 2026-2029 strategic plan, adopted by the board in 2025. You can find our guiding principles here.
Board of Directors
- President: Mike Balsamo, director of US news, Associated Press; immediate past National Press Club president
- Vice President: Ed Kelley, dean emeritus, Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma; immediate past NPCJI president
- Treasurer: Paul Merrion, former Washington Bureau Chief for Crain’s Chicago Business
- Secretary: Steve Herman, executive director and assistant professor of practice, Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi
Board Members:
- Jamila Bey, former editorial director, WHYY Philadelphia
- Danielle Coffey, president and CEO, News/Media Alliance
- Mara Gassmann, senior staff attorney – amicus curiae program, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
- Tom Huang, assistant managing editor for journalism initiatives, Dallas Morning News
- Jen Judson, defense reporter, Bloomberg News; past National Press Club president
- Alison Kodjak, assistant managing editor, ProPublica; past National Press Club president
- Delano Massey, managing editor, Axios Local
- Eileen O’Reilly, managing editor of standards and training, Axios; past National Press Club president
- Steve Reilly, senior investigative data journalist, CBS News; incoming National Press Club vice president
- Mark Schoeff, Jr., financial services reporter, CQ Roll Call; National Press Club president
- Emily Wilkins, D.C. correspondent, CNBC; past National Press Club president
Staff
- Beth Francesco, Executive Director
- Holly Butcher Grant, Operations Manager
- Elliot C. Williams, Training Manager
- Devin Windelspecht, Press Freedom Program Coordinator
- Kris Seavers, Program Coordinator
About the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library
The Journalism Institute oversees the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library of the National Press Club, which offers research services and database access to members. The library also features journalism books, a Bloomberg terminal and Reuters wires access. For questions about use or research support, please contact [email protected].