Our state convention will be held on April 19-20 at Kent State University. Along with professors from Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism, advisers from across the state and our student board we are excited to announce these journalists will be speaking as well.
Keynote Speaker:
Anna Huntsman
Anna Huntsman is currently a reporter at Ideastream Public Media covering Akron, Canton, Kent and other surrounding areas with her work. She has also served as an associate producer for the award-winning children’s show NewsDepth meant to provide news and educational information to middle schoolers in Ohio. Her previous experience includes completing a fellowship for News21, an investigative reporting program, in which her reporting was published in multiple well-known publications like The New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press.
Other Speakers:
Joe Donatelli
Joe Donatelli is the digital director at News 5 Cleveland. In his position, Donatelli has contributed to the growth of the station’s audience engagement, launched a custom newsletter as well as podcasts and sports livestreams. He has previously served as a writer and editor at Scripps-Howard News Service, Playboy and Los Angeles magazine.
Clay LePard
Clay LePard is a special projects reporter at News 5 Cleveland. He has previously reported for WKMG News 6 in Orlando, FL and WNEP ABC in Scranton, PA. LePard enjoys writing people-focused stories because he gets to shine a spotlight on their lives
Camryn Justice
Camryn Justice is a sports reporter at News 5 Cleveland. She previously served as a digital content producer at News 5 before moving into her on-air position. One of her favorite memories was covering Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Shannon Smith
Shannon Smith is a morning news anchor at 19 News. She currently covers all types of stories across Northeast Ohio from human-interest stories to breaking news. Smith has previously worked as an anchor in Buffalo, NY, and she is currently a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and a board member for the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters.
Mark Ackerman
Mark Ackerman is the executive producer of special projects and investigations at News 5 Cleveland.
More information about the State Convention can be found by clicking here.
