Maynard Institute

The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education is pleased to announce that Odette Alcazaren-Keeley will serve as the director of the Maynard 200 pilot program. Alcazaren-Keeley has a long history of coordinating fellowships during her tenure with New America. Her connections to the ethnic news sector will be important as the institute seeks to support the next generation of journalism entrepreneurs, leaders and storytellers.


“I’m privileged to join the team of the Maynard Institute as Director of the Maynard 200 program that will expand the national diversity pipeline and also seek to reach underserved media spaces especially for journalists of color, including those working in ethnic media organizations”, says Alcazaren-Keeley.

“I’m delighted to be working with co-directors Martin Reynolds and Evelyn Hsu, who embody the passionate advocacy for diverse media professionals – chroniclers of the news and issues that impact their audiences and communities today, and who are seeking excellence and sustainability in their path, ” she adds.

The institute is also pleased to announce that Alida Birnam will serve as executive assistant to co-executive directors Evelyn Hsu and Martin G. Reynolds. Birnam also serves as diversity and outreach coordinator of Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and assists with that organization’s fellowship program. She will add much needed capacity for the institute as it moves forward with key initiatives.

New Leadership Joins Maynard Board

At its fall meeting in Washington, D.C., the board of directors of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education unanimously approved Bill Celis and Sarah Allen as new members.

Celis is associate dean for diversity, inclusion and strategic initiatives at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Allen is online media program manager at Monster Worldwide.

“We are thrilled to add Sarah and Bill,” said Martin G. Reynolds, Maynard Institute co-executive director. “They bring with them important perspectives and passion. The institute is in the throes of creating curriculum and modules for the academy. Bill’s guidance will be crucial as we seek to expand our relationship with journalism and mass communication programs across the nation.”

“I can’t think of a better way to honor Dori Maynard’s legacy than to continue her important work by serving on the Maynard board,” Celis said. “The Institute’s work has always been critical in supporting and educating the media in their pursuit of journalism that accurately reflects our multicultural society. I’m looking forward to working with journalists and journalism educators in the years ahead.”

Allen brings years of experience in the digital space with monster.com, where she focused on digital sales, a vital area as Maynard looks to leverage its digital footprint. Her experience as a board member, secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association chapter, have shown her resilience and will enable the institute to collaborate more effectively with the chapter for local events.

“It’s an honor to join the Maynard Institute board knowing its history and purpose in the media community locally and nationwide,” Allen said. “To be in such great company of established and seasoned media professionals who care about the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in media falls in line with my own personal passion for seeing stories told from everyone’s perspective.”