December 15, 2022
Public Agenda, a research-to-action non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening democracy, announced today that Mizell Stewart III has joined the organization’s Board of Directors. Stewart, who brings decades of experience in journalism and leadership, is an esteemed ally of Public Agenda’s crucial work of bridging the gap between the public and the institutions that serve them.
“As an influential journalist, Mizell has long been an ally to the spirit of Public Agenda’s mission,” said Betty Sue Flowers, Chair of the Board at Public Agenda. “His commitment to excellence will continue through his work with Public Agenda, and we’re grateful and excited to have him join us as we build a stronger democracy together.”
Stewart is President and CEO of Emerging Leaders, LLC, a leadership development consulting firm serving clients in the U.S. and Canada. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. For over six years, he served in senior roles at Gannett and the USA TODAY Network, including Vice President of News Performance, Talent, and Partnerships. In that role, he led a team responsible for newsroom learning and development, and managed partnerships with content providers and news syndicates.
Prior to his role at Gannett, he was Chief Content Officer at Journal Media Group and VP/Content of the newspaper division of the E.W. Scripps Company, He led the newsrooms of the Akron Beacon Journal, Evansville Courier & Press, and the Tallahassee Democrat. In addition, he helped lead the team at The Sun Herald that won the 2006 Pulitzer Gold Medal in Public Service for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
Stewart has a distinguished reputation as a leader who is passionate about truth-telling and citizen participation. He currently serves on the boards of Bowling Green State University, the National Press Club Journalism Institute and Journalism Funding Partners. He also sits on advisory boards for PBS Frontline and Report for America.
Stewart holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change from Northern Kentucky University.
“With issues surrounding citizenship and democracy in the headlines on a near-daily basis, I am grateful for the opportunity to help shape Public Agenda’s important work at this critical time,” Stewart said.
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About Public Agenda
Public Agenda is a research-to-action nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining a stronger democracy. Through research, public engagement, and communications, we amplify public voice in institutional and government decision-making. The organization was founded in 1975 by the social scientist and public opinion research pioneer Dan Yankelovich and former secretary of state Cyrus Vance.