Maynard Regional Training Series – Chicago, Illinois, June 4-5
Join us in Chicago, Illinois June 4-5, 2026 in partnership with Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative
Register today! The Maynard Regional Training Series in Chicago, Illinois
The Maynard Regional Training is a FREE training for editors and managers. The deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 20.
The Maynard Regional Training Series is a FREE training for early-career and mid-level managers and editors. In partnership with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications, this training features innovative frameworks, coaching and mentoring for career and newsroom development.
The Maynard Regional Training Series brings two days of onsite editing and management training to journalists across the United States. In partnership with universities, these sessions give editors and managers the tools they need amid the complexities of news leadership.
Award-winning journalists and Medill professors will lead the training with Maynard Institute faculty. This program is for editors and managers working in any platform, (print, broadcast, digital).
The training provides workshops, discussions and coaching to help emerging news leaders manage teams and news coverage. Northwestern will cover the standard registration fee on behalf of registrants. Two meals are provided each day, and limited discounted hotel rooms will be available.
The Maynard Regional Training is designed to sharpen the craft and confidence of editors and newsroom managers,
Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, Director, Maynard Regional Training Series
The Medill Local News Initiative and Accelerator work to spur a more inclusive and economically robust local news ecosystem by offering expertise and programs on topics including consumer research, content strategy, executive leadership and more. These offerings help local news outlets maximize Chicagoland residents’ access to the information they need to be civically engaged.
Training schedule: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT June 4-5.
Featured topics:
- Stepping Into Your Leadership Role
- Fault Lines® Impact on News Coverage
- Running the Story: How To Manage Big Projects
- Shaping Values-Driven AI Practices
- Navigating Difficult Conversations
Regional roundtable of local news leaders:
This training will feature a regional roundtable of local news leaders discussing the state of media in the Chicago area. Moderated by Mackenzie Warren, Interim Executive Director of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism Local News Initiative, this roundtable discussion includes representatives from hyperlocal and ethnic media.
For questions:
Please contact Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, Maynard Regional Training Series Director at okeeley@mije.org
About the Maynard Institute:
The Maynard Institute’s programs are open to all applicants. We are committed to addressing the under-representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Maynard Regional Training Series in Chicago, June 4-5, 2026
The Maynard Regional Training Series is a two-day onsite editing and management training for journalists from across the United States. In partnership with Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative, this training is designed to give editors and managers the tools they need amid the complexities of news leadership.
Training sessions will take place 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT June 4-5, 2026.
The Maynard Regional Training Series will take place at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Chicago, Illinois.
Some training sessions for our Chicago training will include:
- The Manager’s Mindset: Stepping into Your Leadership Role
- Identifying Personal Values: A Listening Exercise
- Fault Lines® in Motion, using Fault Lines® to shape coverage
- AI with Integrity: Shaping Values-Driven Practices
- Complicating the Narrative – practical techniques to counter confirmation bias
- Managing the BIG Story
- Tension to Trust: Navigating Difficult Conversations
This training will also include a roundtable discussion featuring regional news leaders.
Maynard Regional Trainings are led by expert faculty, journalism educators and facilitators with decades of experience in journalism, newsroom management, and media entrepreneurship.
Some of our faculty for this Chicago training include:
- Lisa-Ann Barnes – Adjunct Faculty, Program Advisor, Northwestern School of Professional Studies
- Jean Marie Brown – Associate Professor of Professional Practice,
TCU Bob Schieffer College of Communication - Maria Carrillo – Consultant / Coach
- Deborah Douglas – Founding Director, Medill Solutions
Journalism Hub - Felecia Henderson – Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives,
Maynard Institute - Mei-Ling Hopgood – Medill Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Clinical Professor, William F. Thomas Professor of Journalism
- Martin Reynolds – Co-Executive Director, Maynard Institute
- Doris Truong – Deputy Director, Fire Up Entrepreneurship Program, Maynard Institute
- Mackenzie Warren – Interim Executive Director, Local News Initiative, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
This training is for early-career and mid-level editors and managers working in any newsroom/across all news platforms (broadcast, print, digital, radio). Though this training is regionally situated, it is open to any U.S. applicant.
Participants will cover their own travel and lodging costs as applicable. Two meals per day are provided to all participants. Block room rates are no longer available at the Sheraton Riverwalk Chicago.
This training is completely FREE to all registrants. Registrants must cover their own travel and lodging costs as applicable. Two meals per day will be provided to all participants.
Please contact Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, Maynard Regional Training Series Director at okeeley@mije.org.