“The Media Project’s inaugural Coaching and Leadership Fellowship attracted many more well qualified applicants than I expected for the available awards.  Frankly, I am overwhelmed by the strong desire among media professionals to help other journalists grow in the profession,” says CEO of The Media Project, Dr. Arne H Fjeldstad. 

After a careful review of the diverse applicant pool, a committee from the International Board of The Media Project selected 16 journalists for the program.  To help participants start with a foundation of sound leadership principles, the Fellowship will launch in February 2012 with a customized training workshop designed in part by the Poynter Institute.

**MEET THE 2012 FELLOWSHIP AWARD WINNERS**

“The workshop will be truly international with participants from a total of 14 countries. The strong interest in coaching and leadership among journalists and editors in broadcast, print and online media from all over the world made an impact on me as I read the applications. Their strong desire to be better equipped to coach fellow journalists and their willingness to participate in a personal mentoring process is promising for the year long program ahead,” says Fjeldstad who worked with mentoring as a part of his doctoral program at Fuller School of Intercultural Studies as well as pioneering a national mentoring program in Norway.

During the February 13-17, 2012 workshop, Dr. Fjeldstad will lead the Monday and Friday daylong sessions on the intersection of journalism and faith. 

The core leadership and coaching sessions of the February workshop will be led by Poytner’s Leadership and Management expert Jill Geisler.  Ms. Geisler is also author of the soon to be released book Work Happy:  What Great Bosses Know, a resource to help individual leaders and management teams “build exceptional, happy workplaces” and develop transformational leadership skills.

The Media Project Coaching and Leadership Fellowship requires participants to make a yearlong commitment to explore, develop, and replicate various aspects of coaching and leadership skills.  The fellows must also commit to mentor two younger journalists in mainstream media from their country.

“Given the strong interest from journalists worldwide I do hope we will be able to repeat this program in the coming years and give many more journalists a chance to develop not only themselves and impact their newsrooms, but also mentor other journalists with leadership potential,” says Dr. Fjeldstad.