The Maynard Communities of Practice

Program Overview

Building community is central to the Maynard Institute’s mission, and we’re excited to launch the Maynard Communities of Practice, a tuition-free initiative for all institute alumni. This new program will foster peer learning, networking, and support across various cohorts.

Modeled after the Maynard 200 Fellowship tracks, the program will offer customized training and discussions led by top faculty. Topics will include ethical editorial decision-making, leadership in media, investigative storytelling, audience engagement, and media sustainability. Most importantly, alumni will help shape discussions to ensure the communities have relevant, solutions-focused conversations.

Program Details

Open to all Maynard alumni, the Maynard Communities of Practice serve as hubs for ongoing peer learning, coaching, and engagement. 

This initiative strengthens the network of Maynard alumni across different programs and generations, growing deeper connections through a structured support system that helps alumni navigate the complex, high-impact roles they hold in newsrooms and media spaces.

Each community will meet virtually every two months, starting in late March, and will provide hands-on coaching, open dialogue, resources and a support network. An in-person training event will be held in mid-July, and virtual sessions end this December.

Building on the multi-disciplinary coaching of the Maynard 200 Fellowship, Communities of Practice feature dedicated cohorts aligned with the fellowship’s curriculum tracks:

• Maynard Managers Community
• Maynard Frontline Editors Community
• Maynard Executive Leaders Community
• Maynard Media Entrepreneurs & Product Developers Community
• Maynard Storytellers Community

Each cohort engages in skills-based instruction and expert coaching led by high-caliber faculty. Peer dialogues, collaborative projects, and a supportive network accelerate career growth and leadership development.

Key Components:

• Peer-to-Peer Learning and Coaching
• Cross-Disciplinary Workshops & Offerings
• Open Sharing of Best Practices & Blueprints for Impact
• Group Problem-Solving of Industry Challenges
• Ongoing, Effective Engagement
• Cross-Participant / Potential Cross-Organizational Collaborations
• An Adaptive Model for Innovation and Sustainability
• In-Person Convenings and Networking Opportunities

Maynard Communities of Practice Lead Advisors

This year’s Maynard Communities lead advisors have served as former track executives-in-residence, track deputies, keynote speakers and mentors for the Maynard 200 Fellowship Program, and are respected newsroom leaders specializing in different journalism disciplines.