FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 4, 2023
(Washington, D.C.) – The NAHJ Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Yaneth Guillen-Diaz will serve as the new executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, taking the helm of the 3,600-member journalism nonprofit as it embarks on its milestone 40th anniversary year in 2024.
Guillen-Diaz, NAHJ’s chief operations officer and longest-serving staffer, has taken on roles of increasing responsibility during more than 20 years with NAHJ. As the board searched for a new executive director, Guillen-Diaz ensured the successful execution of the 2023 NAHJ annual conference, drove the implementation of NAHJ’s strategic plan, and launched a fundraising campaign for NAHJ’s 40th anniversary.
“Yaneth’s commitment to ensuring the organization’s success, coupled with her deep institutional knowledge and vision for executing NAHJ’s mission, make her a natural fit to lead the organization,” said NAHJ President Yvette Cabrera. “As we head into a milestone year, I can’t imagine a more thoughtful, passionate, capable leader to lead NAHJ.”
Prior to serving as COO, Guillen-Diaz was NAHJ’s Senior Director of Training & Membership, designing, planning, and implementing training programs for professional members, many through industry partnerships. In that role, she oversaw more than 20 professional chapters across the country, as well as developing programs to expand the organization’s membership
In 2023, NAHJ trained more than 700 professional and student journalists, focusing on issues such as combating disinformation and misinformation, investigative reporting, and AI. Expanding professional development is a priority of NAHJ’s strategic plan, as equipping members to thrive in all market conditions advances the goal of #MoreLatinosInNews.
Guillen-Diaz also oversaw the launch this fall of the NAHJ Adelante Academy and its inaugural Latina Leadership Program, which aims to shape the next generation of Latina executive leaders in U.S. newsrooms. Ensuring Latinos of all backgrounds are represented in the highest levels of American newsrooms is another strategic priority.
“The role of NAHJ is more important than ever, as we work to build a news industry that truly reflects the country it serves,” said Guillen-Diaz. “Becoming executive director during our 40th anniversary year is a privilege, as we have the opportunity to unite the community around our mission and lift up the voices of journalists who are strengthening multicultural democracy through their everyday work.”
NAHJ aims to raise $250,000 to support its training, scholarships, and advocacy work ahead of the 40th anniversary conference, which will be held July 9-13, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif. NAHJ was founded in California in 1984. In November, NAHJ celebrated the best of Hispanic journalism with the Ñ Awards during an event in Burbank, Calif., overseen by Guillen-Diaz and NAHJ staff. NAHJ’s previous executive director, David Peña, Jr., resigned in July.
Guillen-Diaz holds a bachelor’s degree in arts in Media and Communications from the University of the District of Columbia. She currently lives in University Park, Maryland, where she and her husband of 17 years raise their three children Isabella, Benjamin, and David Jr.
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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists
NAHJ is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in news media. NAHJ has over 4,000 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on X @NAHJ.
Media Contact:
Andrew Sherry
asherry@nahj.org
305.954.7571