America’s Newspapers Foundation is strengthening how it supports local newspapers by expanding its leadership team and investing more deeply in front-line programs.
Greg Watson has been appointed as the Foundation’s executive director, with Sara Willard joining as the program and training director and Cindy Durham as the director of communications and engagement. All were previously employees of the association.
America’s Newspapers and America’s Newspapers Foundation share a common mission — to support, advocate for and advance local newspapers — but play distinct, complementary roles. America’s Newspapers will continue to focus on advocacy, policy leadership and convening industry leaders, while the America’s Newspapers Foundation will concentrate on programs, leadership development and original research designed to provide direct support to newspapers and the people who lead them.
“This structure makes us stronger and more effective,” said Dean Ridings, president and CEO of both organizations. “Advocacy remains essential. But newspapers also need practical programs, strong leadership pipelines and credible research. This approach allows us to deliver all three with greater focus and accountability.”
America’s Newspapers will continue to serve as the national voice for the newspaper industry, representing newspapers on critical legislative and regulatory issues at both the federal and state levels. Through the State Advocacy Coalition, the organization strengthens coordination with state press associations, improves early identification of policy risks and supports more unified responses to shared challenges such as public notices, taxation, advertising restrictions, privacy laws and artificial intelligence policy.
America’s Newspapers also remains the industry’s primary convener through events such as Mega-Conference and the Senior Leadership Conference, bringing together newspaper executives, owners and industry partners to focus on leadership, operations, revenue strategy and long-term sustainability.
America’s Newspapers Foundation, established in 2024 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is advancing its role as the programmatic and research arm serving the newspaper industry.
The Foundation focuses on developing and sustaining leadership and ownership programs that provide front-line support to newspapers. These include the Executive Development Program, which prepares emerging leaders with the management and strategic skills required to lead modern newspaper organizations, and the Family Owners program, which supports long-term ownership, business development and succession planning.
The Foundation also conducts original, first-hand research for the industry, including the Trust in Media study and the Local Advertising Effectiveness research. These efforts provide newspapers with credible, independent data to support business planning, advertising sales, advocacy initiatives and community engagement.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Foundation is positioned to raise and deploy funding in support of these programs and research initiatives, ensuring they remain accessible and relevant to newspapers of all sizes.
The association’s employees are Dean Ridings, president and CEO, leading advocacy, public policy and national industry leadership. Patty Slusher, director of partnerships, leads engagement with Solutions Partners and newspaper members, developing sponsorships, marketing programs and partnerships aligned with industry needs. Kim Stone, operations director, oversees organizational systems, financial processes and conference logistics. Tony Baranowski, state policy director, and our newest employee, leads legislative monitoring and advocacy coordination with state press associations through the State Advocacy Coalition.
While their roles are distinct, America’s Newspapers and the America’s Newspapers Foundation operate with shared leadership and a unified mission. Strengthening the Foundation’s role extends the organizations’ collective impact — pairing advocacy and industry leadership with hands-on programs, research and support designed for today’s newspaper environment.
For more information about the America’s Newspapers Foundation, visit newspapersfoundation.org.
