Longtime ASJA Executive Director Steps Down
ASJA Executive Director Change
Longtime ASJA Executive Director Steps Down
Holly Koenig to serve as Interim Executive Director
July 5, 2016 (New York, NY) –The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) has announced that longtime executive director Alexandra Cantor Owens is stepping down as of July 5. Owens has been an account executive with Kellen, a global professional services firm, since 2014, when ASJA moved under Kellen’s management. Owens will continue working at Kellen on other client associations.
“Since ASJA made the move two years ago, I’ve been anticipating and looking forward to new challenges,” said Owens. “I leave ASJA in great hands with a broad, professional management team, and I relish the opportunity to continue my professional growth with Kellen.”
“During her tenure, Owens helped ASJA grow from a New York City-based group of writers to the current national organization with 15 regional chapters,” said Sherry Beck Paprocki, president of ASJA. “ASJA’s Board of Directors thanks Owens for her many years of dedicated service and commitment to advancing ASJA’s growth.”
Effective July 5, Holly Koenig has been appointed as interim executive director of ASJA until Owens’ successor is named. Koenig has worked with ASJA since the organization’s integration with Kellen two years ago and is a vice president at Kellen, a global leader in association services, conference planning, communications, regulatory issues and public affairs. With nearly three decades of experience leading complex national and international trade associations and professional societies, Koenig possesses in-depth knowledge and expertise in association management and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York Society of Association Executives.
“I eagerly look forward to a smooth transition and working with ASJA’s Board of Directors and members in continuing to grow the association as the leading voice for professional nonfiction writers across the country,” said Koenig.
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About ASJA
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation’s professional organization of independent nonfiction writers. ASJA’s membership consists of more than 1,100 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing. Members must meet exacting standards of professional achievement.
ASJA offers extensive benefits and services focusing on professional development, including regular confidential market information, meetings with editors and others in the field, an exclusive referral service, seminars and workshops, discount services and, above all, the opportunity for members to explore professional issues and concerns with their peers. ASJA is a primary voice in representing freelancers’ interests, serving as spokesman for their right to control and profit from uses of their work in the new media and otherwise. Visit www.asja.org for more details.