Catholic Media Association Elects New Board Officers, Fills Magazine Seat Vacancy
Catholic Media Association Elects New Board Officers, Fills Magazine Seat Vacancy
New leadership brings extensive experience and vision to guide association’s future
CHICAGO (May 20, 2025) — The Catholic Media Association today announced the election of its new officers for the Board of Directors, as well as the appointment of a new Magazine Member at Large. The newly elected officers will begin their two-year terms on June 28, following the conclusion of the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kerry Weber, executive editor of America magazine, was elected president of the CMA Board of Directors. Weber is currently serving on the board as the Magazine Editorial Staff Member. Her writing and multimedia work have earned several awards from the Catholic Media Association, including “Writer of the Year” in 2023. She was part of the team from America Media that conducted an exclusive interview with Pope Francis in 2022.
“The future is bright for the Catholic Media Association as new officers and board members prepare to assume their roles,” said Gretchen R. Crowe, editor-in-chief of OSV News and outgoing president of the Catholic Media Association. “As Pope Leo XIV said in his address to journalists in May, we in Catholic media are called to ‘strive for a different kind of communication, one that does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.’ It’s been my great honor to walk this challenging and blessed road with you as president of the association, and I look forward to more great things in the years to come.”
A graduate of Providence College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Weber has previously worked as an editor for Catholic Digest, a local reporter in Greenwich, Conn., a newspaper reporter and television producer for the Diocese of Springfield, Mass., and as a special-education teacher on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Weber has also served as a board member for the Ignatian Solidarity Network and has been a Mercy Associate since 2012.
Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Sojourners, among other outlets.
As board president, Weber will preside over all meetings of the association and the Board of Directors, exercise general supervision over the association’s matters, and serve as an ex-officio member of all CMA committees.
“I am immensely honored to take on this new role with the CMA,” said Weber. “I look forward to building on Gretchen’s excellent work and to collaborating with my fellow board members to further the CMA’s efforts to create a supportive, sustainable future for Catholic media.”
James Ramos, content editor at the Texas Catholic Herald, was elected vice president. Ramos leads digital media initiatives for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and has earned multiple accolades from the CMA for his reporting and photography. He currently chairs the CMA Membership Committee and is committed to fostering connections between emerging and established Catholic media professionals. Ramos succeeds Paula Gwynn Grant, Secretary of Communications for the Archdiocese of Washington, who served a two-year term in this role.
Marnie McAllister, editor of The Record, the Archdiocese of Louisville’s newspaper, was elected secretary. She succeeds Carol Zimmermann, News Editor for National Catholic Reporter. With over two decades in Catholic journalism, McAllister has navigated significant industry challenges, helping her publication achieve numerous awards from both the CMA and Society of Professional Journalists. She actively contributes to CMA’s education initiatives.
“The CMA board brings exceptional experience, dedication and a deep passion for Catholic media in service to the Church,” said Rob DeFrancesco, executive director of the CMA. “Our incoming board officers will continue to strengthen our community and enhance the impact of Catholic media across North America.”
In a special election to fill a vacancy, Elisha Valladares-Cormier, senior editor of Columbia magazine, was elected Magazine Member at Large. Valladares-Cormier, who first engaged with CMA as a student journalist, has extensive experience in writing, editing and digital communications. His background includes contributions to the Catholic Sentinel and parish-level communications.
“I am sincerely grateful for our outgoing board officers, President Gretchen Crowe, Vice President Paula Gwynn Grant, and Secretary Carol Zimmermann, for their dedicated service and leadership over the past two years,” said DeFrancesco. “Their contributions have significantly strengthened our mission of helping our members share the Good News through Catholic media.”
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 serves media professionals across North America, providing resources, education and networking opportunities to foster excellence in Catholic journalism and communications. The CMA consists of 367 member organizations and more than 900 mission-driven professionals.