RTDNA President and CEO Dan Shelley to retire at end of 2025

Washington, D.C. (April 14, 2025) — Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Shelley will retire from his position at the end 2025 after dedicating more than 25 years to the organization and its mission to promote and protect ethical journalism.​

RTDNA Executive Director Tara Puckey will succeed Shelley as President and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026, following an RTDNA Board of Directors vote held last month.

Shelley has been one of the nation’s most tireless advocates for press freedom, transparency and open government on behalf of RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation, the association’s charitable arm. He initially joined the RTDNA organization as a member nearly four decades ago and has been a board member since 2000. He served as Chair of the Board in 2005-06 and as Foundation Chair the following year. In September 2017, Shelley was hired to lead the association staff as Executive Director, later transitioning to President and CEO, and has been instrumental in defending press freedom and promoting journalistic excellence. 

“It has been the honor of my career to serve broadcast and digital journalists through my roles at RTDNA,” Shelley said. “Throughout my travels around the world on behalf of our association, I have been heartened to see the insatiable thirst for truth and transparency among people even in autocratic societies. During my travels around this country – in the U.S. and state capitols, at journalism schools and professional conferences, and with the general public – I have proudly been a standard bearer for those same principles.

“Now, though, after 45 years working tirelessly, day after day, I have decided it’s time for a new generation of RTDNA staff leaders to finish building our association’s bridge to the ever-changing landscape of what our business will be in the future,” Shelley added.

Since his first day in an RTDNA leadership role, Shelley has guided RTDNA through significant transformation. The Association changed its name in 2009 after nearly five decades as the “Radio Television News Directors Association,” and in 2022, the Foundation changed its name to better mirror the Association. He also launched RTDNA’s Voice of the First Amendment Task Force, which set the stage for RTDNA’s successes educating the public about and advocating for policies protecting the rights of journalists. 

“Dan's commitment to journalism is truly inspiring,” said Sheryl Worsley, Chair of RTDNA’s Board of Directors. “When Dan talks about the rights of journalists, he always underscores that these rights exist so that journalists can better serve their communities. He's driven by a mission to improve journalism so that journalism can improve the lives of all citizens. That calling has made RTDNA one of the most respected organizations fighting on behalf of journalists everywhere. What a remarkable legacy."

Before joining RTDNA in an executive capacity, Shelley held prominent roles in broadcast and digital journalism and media strategy. He served as Senior Vice President of Digital Content Strategy for iHeartMedia in New York City; a Senior Vice President of interactive at Washington, D.C.-based Urban One; and was a longtime local news director, executive producer and reporter, with experience at WCBS-TV in New York, WTMJ Radio and TV in Milwaukee and KTTS-AM/FM in his hometown of Springfield, Mo. 

In 2018, Shelley was named outstanding alumnus of the year at Missouri State University. In 2019, he was inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Through it all, he has been a tireless advocate for broadcast and digital journalists and one of the most influential leaders in the journalism community. 

“Dan's blend of experience and energy, as well as his deep understanding of our mission, has positioned RTDNA for growth and continued success,” Worsley said. “With this strong foundation and Tara's proven track record, we are incredibly optimistic about the future of RTDNA and its critical mission."

Puckey has more than a decade of experience leading journalism associations. She first joined RTDNA in 2018 as Director of Strategic Initiatives before being promoted to Chief Staff Officer in 2020 and later Executive Director in 2022. Before joining RTDNA, Puckey held several key positions at the Society of Professional Journalists, including Interim Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Membership Strategist. 

A Certified Association Executive and Certified Meeting Professional, Puckey has trained over 1,400 journalists and nonprofit professionals in effective leadership and has collaborated with numerous associations and journalism organizations to build strategic plans for a successful future. Her dedication to the association industry was recognized in 2018, when she was named to Association Forum’s Forty Under 40. Earlier this month, she was named a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives. 

“I’ve spent most of my career serving the inspiring journalists who work each and every day to hold the powerful accountable and tell the stories of their communities,” Puckey said. “It’s an incredible honor to take the torch from Dan — and a challenge because of the standard of excellence he set — but I am thrilled to continue this work with the smart and talented RTDNA staff and leadership.”

Shelley and Puckey will continue to work closely to ensure a smooth transition in the next several months. 

About RTDNA

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to broadcast and digital journalism. Founded as a grassroots organization in 1946, RTDNA's mission is to promote and protect responsible journalism. RTDNA defends the First Amendment rights of electronic journalists throughout the country, honors outstanding work in the profession through the Edward R. Murrow Awards and provides members with training to encourage ethical standards, newsroom leadership and industry innovation.

(Photo: BP Miller / Chorus Photography)