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