Leo C. Lee Award

Each year, PMJA honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to public radio journalism. The award is named in honor of its first recipient: Leo C. Lee, the founder of Western Public Radio, a San Francisco-based public radio training program.

Leo C. Lee award winners

  • Alisa Barba
    Alisa Barba
    Managing Editor, America Amplified America Amplified
    2024
  • Traci Tong
    Traci Tong
    Editor (508)878-5478
    2023
  • George Bodarky
    George Bodarky
    Community Partnerships and Training Editor WNYC Radio (917)647-3726
    2022
  • Michel Martin
    Michel Martin
    National Public Radio
    2021
  • Maria Hinojosa
    Maria Hinojosa
    Founder
    2020
  • Martha Foley
    Martha Foley
    NCPR News & Public Affairs Director (retired)
    2019
  • Keith Woods
    Keith Woods
    National Public Radio
    2018
  • Andrea de Leon
    Andrea de Leon
    Northeast Bureau Chief National Public Radio
    2017
  • John Barth
    John Barth
    Principal Creative Media LLC (973)219-6533
    2016
  • Tanya Ott
    Tanya Ott
    2015
  • Tripp Sommer
    Tripp Sommer
    KLCC News Director (retired)
    2014
  • John Dinges
    John Dinges
    Professor Emeritus
    2013
  • Ellen Weiss
    Ellen Weiss
    Former Senior Vice President of News, NPR
    2012
  • Jonathan Kern
    Jonathan Kern
    Author: Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production
    2011
  • Maryanne Zeleznik
    Maryanne Zeleznik
    Vice President of News WVXU (513)352-9172
    2010
  • Doug Mitchell
    Doug Mitchell
    Founder/Director National Public Radio (202)513-2029
    2009
  • David Candow
    David Candow
    “The Host Whisperer”
    2008
  • Daniel Zwerdling
    Daniel Zwerdling
    NPR Senior Correspondent (retired)
    2007
  • David Isay
    David Isay
    Founder & President StoryCorps
    2006
  • Rich Bradley
    Rich Bradley
    Founder of NPR Illinois and PMJA
    2005
  • Linda Wertheimer
    Linda Wertheimer
    Senior National Correspondent National Public Radio
    2004
  • Jim Russell
    Jim Russell
    Creator of Marketplace
    2003
  • Jay Allison
    Jay Allison
    Independent Broadcast Journalist & Producer
    2002
  • Susan Stamberg
    Susan Stamberg
    Special Correspondent National Public Radio
    2001
  • Poynter Institute
    Poynter Institute
    2000
  • Ira Glass
    Ira Glass
    Host and Executive Producer This American Life
    1999
  • Tony Griffin
    Former News & Public Affairs Director - WMUK
    1998
  • William Buzenberg
    William Buzenberg
    Former Vice President of News, NPR
    1997
  • Carl Kasell
    Carl Kasell
    Former Newscaster, NPR
    1996
  • Jo Anne Wallace
    Jo Anne Wallace
    Former VP & General Manager, KQED
    1995
  • Bill Siemering
    Wyncote Foundation
    1994
  • Leo C. Lee
    Founder, Western Public Radio
    1993