By Marian Amaria Bangura <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lawsuit regarding NABJ\u2019s most recent executive director contract is still ongoing, but the organization is looking to the future with an official search process for a new leader that kicked off during this year\u2019s convention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NABJ President Errin Haines told The Monitor she is looking for a \u201ctrue partner\u201d who can help lead the organization into the next 50 years. NABJ released a timeline and search committee for the process, with a targeted Dec. 1 start date for the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funding is high on Haines\u2019 priority list as she hopes for a visionary leader who will help make fundraising a year-round effort rather than relying on the organization\u2019s convention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nathaniel Chambers, who is currently serving as NABJ\u2019s interim executive director and has been with the organization for 16 years, also stressed that fundraising and developing alternative revenue sources is the most immediate priority. He also said the next executive director will need a vision for navigating changes in the political climate, particularly as they relate to funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haines said she is not limiting the search to someone within the organization or with a journalism background, but says experience with membership associations is a valuable asset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, Haines was part of a group of NABJ Board candidates who posted a joint letter asking the then board to halt the executive director search until after the 2025 elections due to transparency concerns. Elise Durham, a former assistant general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and lifetime NABJ member, was announced as the organization\u2019s next executive director during the 2025 convention and signed a three-year contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat I do know is that our membership did not feel like that was a process that was transparent,\u201d Haines said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The board later voted to rescind Durham\u2019s contract. Concerns were raised that it was only signed by the president and executive director at the time, Ken Lemon and Drew Berry, and did not include a signature from NABJ Treasurer Jasmine Styles that some members say is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durham sued NABJ in December 2025, asking for nearly $613,987 in severance plus other costs, according to court documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haines said her administration has tried to communicate more frequently with members about the current search, including what information can be shared about its progress and the legal considerations surrounding the previous decision. During the NABJ business meeting, Haines answered a question on the status of the lawsuit, saying settlement talks were scheduled for late September and if a deal is not reached, the lawsuit could head to a trial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked why she is no longer executive director, Durham told The Monitor she has \u201cno real understanding\u201d of why the decision was made. Durham, a former board member of NABJ\u2019s Atlanta chapter, added that she was initially nervous about coming to this year\u2019s conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first big hug I got took that away, and I\u2019m continuing to get them every five steps. So that reassures me that I am still part of this family and I did nothing wrong,\u201d said Durham, before heading to pick up her conference registration badge. \u201cI was nervous coming in here today,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durham said she still considers NABJ part of her professional family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have not disparaged anyone,\u201d Durham said. \u201cI have not talked about this organization because I love this organization. I\u2019m a product of this organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She declined to discuss details of the active lawsuit involving her and NABJ, saying she was not at liberty to comment publicly while the case remains ongoing. But she said she is ready for the matter to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durham held two events across the street from the convention hotel at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta focusing on pivoting and reinvention based on her own personal experience. Durham says she now heads her own creative consulting agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter the anger and the hurt and trying to figure out what I wanted to do next, it dawned on me that I\u2019m not going through this by myself,\u201d Durham said. \u201cAnd we need an honest, sincere place for us to gather, to talk about how do you handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"