Do you have a dedicated team member who works behind the scenes, ensuring the success of your operation? Perhaps the person is the go-to source for history or relationships in your community or a star production, administration or circulation member. We regularly champion the achievement of our journalists, but there are many others who daily make invaluable contributions to our organizations.
The Cornerstone Award is designed to recognize and honor unsung heroes in our news organizations who meaningfully and significantly contribute to the accomplishments of our publications without recognition. About these folks, we ask the question: “Where would we be without them?” These individuals are the lifeblood of our operations, consistently providing the support and commitment needed to keep our departments and publications thriving.
Submit a nomination letter detailing why your candidate deserves this prestigious recognition. Highlight the person’s dedication, service and the impact the individual has made on your team and organization. All employees are eligible. There are no specific requirements other than demonstrating dedicated service and unwavering support. While a journalist may be recognized with this honor, the award intends to bring attention to someone working in the background. Entries are closed now and will reopen in 2026.
Entry fee $50.
All awards will be presented at the 2026 Fall Leadership Conference.
Questions? Please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.
Maile Hulihan joined The Concord Bridge at a pivotal moment, bringing with her a rare blend of editorial and business expertise. Recruited out of retirement, she stepped into the role of CEO with energy, vision, and a commitment to building a sustainable, best-in-class community newspaper for Concord.
Susan Leggett, production manager at Addison County Independent (Middlebury, VT), was honored with the inaugural Cornerstone Award for her nearly 50 years of dedication to production, community connections, and unwavering loyalty to the paper.