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Rural Kansas newspaper editor/publisher Karen Bonar will participate in the 2024 Leadership Academy for Women in Media, hosted by the Poynter Institute Sept. 23-27.
“I was thrilled for Karen and so excited that Kansas will be so well-represented,” said Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association. “The Leadership Academy for Women in Media program in a prestigious program that helps to amplify the important voices in media. Women have always been an integral part of local journalism, so seeing a program tailored to this important group is fantastic.”
Bradbury said to her knowledge, Bonar is the first participant from Kansas to attend the academy.
Bonar is the editor/publisher of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and Marquette Tribune. The newspapers are owned by Savannah, Ga.-based Morris Multimedia Inc. She currently lives in Salina.
“When I was departing my previous job at Kansas Wesleyan University, I told my supervisor I wanted to attend the program at Poynter,” Bonar said. “I knew the process was extremely competitive.”
Applications were due in September and candidates were notified in December of their acceptance.
“When I applied, I was departing for the Bike Up Kansas and wasn’t sure I even correctly applied,” Bonar said. “I had some technical difficulties and didn’t have the level of confidence I wanted with my application.”
When she was notified of her acceptance in December, “I was shocked,” Bonar said.
As the date of the event approaches, Bonar said she is excited for the experience.
“I’m also humbled. I’ve seen the list of other participants for my cohort, and am in awe,” Bonar said. “The women attending this academy are top-shelf. I know the phrase “impostor syndrome” is a buzz-
phrase, but once I saw the list, I was immediately intimidated. The leaders I will meet are amazing and inspiring women.”
The Poynter Institute conducts the leadership academy for three cohorts annually. Each group is comprised of 30 women.
Bradbury said having representatives from smaller areas and news deserts is important.
“Sometimes, rural journalism gets lost in the mix when discussing innovation, but small-town journalists can be, and are often, innovative,” she said. “It is crucial to have rural journalists represented in all leadership programs.”
The academy, which began in 2015, will be held at the Poynter Institute headquarters in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sitara Nieves, Poynter Vice President of Teaching and Organizational Strategy, said the program focuses on effective leadership, change management and newsroom sustainability.
“As I’ve prepared for this experience, I have had homework to do in advance,” Bonar said. “I have taken assessments to gauge my strengths as a leader. My staff have also provided essential feedback on areas I can grow. They are also making extra effort to cover the newsroom in my absence, and this leadership experience would not be possible without their vital assistance.”
Bonar’s experience as a journalist began in high school. She is a 1999 graduate of Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Wichita, where she worked as a photographer on the yearbook and newspaper, and also as the assistant features editor for the newspaper. She also spent time with the photo staff of The Wichita Eagle during her high school years.
She continued her journalistic journey at K-State, where she earned a bachelor’s from the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism in December 2022. She was a staff photographer for the school’s yearbook and newspaper. During college, she interned at the Topeka Capital-Journal, as well as the Hays Daily News.
Upon graduation, Bonar worked for about two years at the Independence Daily Reporter in southeast Kansas as a photojournalist. She then shifted gears and began covering city government and writing in-
depth features at the Hays Daily News, a position she held for about three years. In 2005 and 2006, she earned an honorable mention in the Harris Newspaper contest for business/agriculture reporting. In 2006 she also earned second place from the Kansas Press Association for an agricultural story. In 2007, she earned first place from KPA for an investigative story, first place in the Harris Newspaper Contest for a spot news story and best of contest in the Harris Newspaper Contest.
Bonar served as the editor for The Register (Salina, Kan.) for nearly five years. During that time, she earned first and second place in the 2020 Catholic Press Awards for best in-depth news/special reporting, as well as first place for the best front page (submission consisted of three consecutive front page designs).
She also earned a Catholic Press Award for her photographic coverage of the installation of Salina’s new bishop, as well as an additional Catholic Media Award (formerly CPA) in 2022. She earned first place in the Best Analysis/Background/Roundup category for her multistory and photo package.
Bonar joined the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and Marquette Tribune in April 2022. During her first full year as editor, in 2023, her staff earned 31 awards, as well as the sweepstakes for its division. Bonar earned eight first-place awards, seven second-place awards and three third place awards for both reporting and photojournalism.
While notified in December, Bonar was told she needed to keep the news quiet until September.
“I am so excited for this journey to begin and even more excited now that I can share it in a public manner,” Bonar said. “I am excited for the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader, both in the newsroom and in our communities.”
For more information about Poynter's Leadership Academy for Women in Media, please visit: https://www.poynter.org/from-the-institute/2024/womens-leadership-academy-final-cohort-announcement/
For more information about the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter, please visit: https://www.indyrepnews.com/