Chicago-area journalist Jillian Melero, a longtime leader of the Chicago Headline Club, was elected an at-large director of the Society of Professional Journalists this month, giving Chicago journalism a new voice on the national organization’s board.
The election results were announced Sunday, Oct. 4, after four days of voting during SPJ26, the Society of Professional Journalists’ national convention in Columbus, Ohio.
For Melero, the election represents a move from years of leadership at the chapter level to a national role in an organization she credits with helping her develop as a journalist and leader.
Melero currently serves as vice president of programming for the Chicago Headline Club, SPJ’s Chicago chapter, and is a board member of the Chicago Headline Club Foundation. She previously served as the chapter’s president.
Her work with the Chicago chapter has included helping lead FOIA Fest, an annual conference focused on freedom-of-information issues, as well as launching the Chicago Media Career Fair. She also has been involved in professional-development programming for journalists dealing with layoffs, career changes and the broader transformation of the news industry.
Melero is the founder and publisher of Connect Puerto Rico, an independent publication focused on renewable energy, infrastructure and workforce development in Puerto Rico. Her previous work has included positions with Climate Central, WTTW News, Borderless Magazine, The TRiiBE and South Florida Gay News. Her reporting has covered climate and energy, immigration, public policy and communities that have historically received less attention from traditional news organizations.
She earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
In her campaign for the SPJ board, Melero emphasized the practical lessons she has gained from local journalism leadership. She said she wants to help strengthen support for journalists navigating career disruption, assist local chapters in developing sustainable programs and encourage more creative approaches to fundraising and organizational sustainability.
Melero was one of two candidates elected to the two-year at-large director positions in SPJ’s 2026 election. Marty Fischhoff was also elected to an at-large seat. Stacie Overton Johnson was elected vice president, while Patricia Gallagher Newberry was elected secretary-treasurer. Four regional coordinator positions also were filled.
- Region 1 coordinator: Christine McGrath
- Region 4 coordinator: Ginny McCabe
- Region 5 coordinator (includes Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky): Marcus Green
- Region 9 coordinator: McKenzie Romero
Revised code of ethics
Members also voted this month on changes to the organization’s ethical and governance framework, including a revised Code of Ethics and a bylaws amendment giving the Board of Directors authority to establish and implement standards of conduct for participation in SPJ activities.
The Code of Ethics was first adopted in 1926.
SPJ’s Code of Ethics revisions have been described as an effort to preserve the organization’s longstanding ethical principles while responding to changes in how journalism is produced and distributed, including the growing use of artificial intelligence and the changing information environment.
Both measures were overwhelmingly approved.