March 5, 2026 — As our industry navigates a challenging moment marked by newsroom layoffs, political pressure and rapid changes, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists remains focused on strengthening our profession and preparing journalists for what comes next.
NAHJ is proud to introduce our 2026 Conference Co-Chairs: Lucy Bustamante, an Emmy, Murrow and Peabody Award–winning journalist and morning anchor in New Orleans; Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News Political Director and Executive Director of White House and Politics; and Rocsi Diaz, Emmy Award-winning host and journalist known for her work across entertainment, culture and sports media.Â
The 2026 NAHJ Conference & Expo in New Orleans will create space for honest conversations about challenges facing journalists while providing practical tools to develop their skills.Â
The conference will tackle urgent topics: immigration, Latino voter engagement, press freedom and journalists safety. Also, threats to education, climate, newsroom diversity along with the political landscape in a critical election year.Â
NAHJ will celebrate our diverse Latino cultures and storytelling rooted in our host city of New Orleans, including music, identity and the global impact of artists like Bad Bunny.
More about the Co-Chairs
Lucy Bustamante is an Emmy, Murrow and Peabody Award-winning journalist and morning anchor for Gray Media’s FOX affiliate in New Orleans. With more than two decades of experience, her investigative reporting has helped military veterans receive previously denied benefits and led to policy changes protecting veterans from scammers. A longtime NAHJ member and co-founder of the HeroProjectNetwork, Bustamante previously anchored and reported at NBC10 Philadelphia and Telemundo 62. She began her career in New Orleans covering Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.
Fin Daniel Gómez is CBS News’ Political Director and Executive Director of White House and Politics, overseeing the network’s daily political coverage. A veteran of five presidential cycles, he has reported from conflict zones around the world and across Washington’s corridors of power. Gómez made history as the first Latino political director at a major U.S. broadcast network and previously served on the board of the White House Correspondents’ Association, advocating for a free and independent press.
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Rocsi Diaz is an Emmy Award-winning host and journalist known for her work across entertainment, music and sports media. She first rose to national prominence as host of BET’s 106 & Park, reaching more than 85 million households. She later served as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Diaz has interviewed people ranging from global music stars to President Barack Obama and hosted programs across major networks including FOX, E!, CNN/HLN and VH1 while maintaining a strong presence across digital and social media platforms.
Track Organizers
More than 30 Track Organizers, selected in collaboration with NAHJ Task Forces, are helping to shape the conference agenda to ensure programming reflects the diversity of NAHJ journalists. The organizers reviewed more than 160 session proposals to develop practical, timely and relevant programming.Â
The track organizers include Alicia Ybarbo (NBC’s TODAY Show), Ana Clara Otoni (IWMF Fellow), Carlos Granda (KABC-TV), Clara Benitez-Cortez (Scripps), Connie Schulte (Univision), Dan Pacheco (Syracuse University), David Cordero Mercado (ACLU), Dayanis Lopez-Reyes (N+ Univision 34), Dr. Pedro Cabrera (San Antonio College), Frank Mina (The Seattle Times), Iliana Limón Romero (Los Angeles Times), Jeff Kauflin (Forbes), Jeremy Sanchez Rue (UC Berkeley), Jeydah Jenkins (KRIS 6 News – Corpus Christi), Joel Marino (Business Insider), José Alberto Colón-RodrÃguez, Juanita Islas (International Women’s Media Foundation), Kalidia Reyes (ESPN), Kiara Alfonseca (Center for Reproductive Rights), Manuelita Beck (ABC15 Arizona), Marina Villeneuve (Hechinger Report), Natalia Gutierrez (Documented NY), Perla Trevizo (ProPublica), Ricardo Sandoval-Palos (PBS), Ruben Villaescusa (The Media Experience LLC), Stella M. Chávez (self-employed), Vanessa Hauc (Telemundo Network), Virginia Lozano (NPR), Zaydee Sanchez (Independent Visual Journalist), and Peniley RamÃrez (Futuro Media).
The conference will feature specialized tracks to equip journalists with essential tools and insights across key areas, including:
- Afro-Latino,
- AI/Emerging Tech
- Broadcast
- Business
- Core Skills
- Education
- Freelance
- Investigative & Data
- LGBTQIA+
- Management
- Meteorology & Climate
- NAHJ Cares (Health & Safety)
- Spanish-language journalism
- Sports
- Visuals
- Specialty Track
The NAHJ leadership team will ensure the 2026 NAHJ Conference & Expo in New Orleans delivers the conversations, skills and camaraderie that journalists seek during this pivotal moment. The conference will be a forum for Latino journalists to connect, learn and support each other.
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Press Contact: communications@nahj.org
About NAHJ:
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States, dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in 1984, NAHJ works to increase the number of Latinos in newsrooms and to ensure fair and accurate representation of Latino communities in media. Learn more at NAHJ.org.