Catholic Media Association Announces 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

May 12, 2026

in Info and Updates,

CHICAGO (May 12, 2026) — The Catholic Media Association has announced the results of its Board of Directors election. Five members have been elected or re-elected to help lead the association in its mission to provide professional development, networking and support for those working in Catholic media across North America.

Elected members will begin their three-year terms on June 20, at the conclusion of the Catholic Media Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Directors may serve up to three consecutive terms.

“We are blessed to have a tremendous depth of talent among our membership,” said Kerry Weber, CMA President. “I am grateful for the excellent work of our outgoing board members and truly look forward to working with the incoming members.”

The newly elected board members represent a broad spectrum of the Catholic media field, from diocesan publications and national magazines to digital evangelization and media literacy.

The 2026 Board Election Results

Laura Ieraci, Magazine Business Staff Member

Editor of ONE Magazine (CNEWA). An award-winning journalist, Ieraci focuses on the standard of the craft: "Catholic journalism done well — with professional rigor, charity and integrity — serves the mission of the Church and makes important contributions to public life."

Kate DeWeese, Magazine Publisher Member

Editor of Northwest Catholic (Archdiocese of Seattle). DeWeese emphasized the missionary heart of the role: "As Catholic media professionals, we are evangelists. We are vital to making God’s message seen and heard in the cacophony of the world. Our work allows people to encounter Catholicism and draw closer to Christ."

Michael Walsh, Newspaper Publisher Member (Incumbent)

Director of Communications for the Diocese of Camden (Catholic Star Herald). Walsh highlighted the essential role of the Catholic voice: "In a time when information is abundant but trust is often scarce, Catholic media serves as a credible voice rooted in faith, ethics, and human dignity."

Matthew Gambino, Treasurer

Deputy Communications Officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CatholicPhilly.com). Gambino, a 30-year Catholic media veteran, noted: "Catholic communicators work to present truth in service of justice, peace and love, and they strive to ‘set on a lampstand’ the good works of the people of God."

Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, Western Region Representative

Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies. Sr. Nancy views digital spaces as a new frontier: "Those who work in Catholic media are not merely communicators or content creators; they are apostles sent into the digital spaces to bring the light of Christ into a world that is searching—often unknowingly—for God."

As the CMA welcomes new leadership, the association extends its gratitude to three outgoing board members for their years of service and contributions to the association.

JoAnn DiNapoli, Treasurer; Emily Sanna, Magazine Publisher Member; and Pablo Kay, Western Region Representative, are vital voices in the CMA’s leadership, contributing significantly to the board and its committee work. Their insights have strengthened the professional formation of Catholic media professionals across North America.

“The CMA is a stronger organization because of the tireless work of JoAnn, Emily and Pablo,” said Rob DeFrancesco, CMA Executive Director. “We thank them for their leadership, their professional expertise and their unwavering commitment to our members.”

About the Catholic Media Association

The Catholic Media Association is committed to its mission of helping members share the Good News through Catholic media. The CMA provides professional development, networking, inspiration and support for the faith formation of Catholic media professionals. The CMA includes 365+ member organizations and nearly 900 mission-driven professionals across North America.

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