National Press Club renews push for engaging members

As part of an effort to revamp its outreach to journalists and communication professionals, The National Press Club, the world's leading professional organization for journalists, has hired seasoned reporter Suzanne Struglinski as its new director of membership engagement.

Struglinski, who will start on Sept. 6, will focus full-time on helping journalists and communicators realize all the social and professional benefits of the Press Club as the news industry continues its transition into a new age.

"Journalists and public relations professionals face a daunting task these days, and the National Press Club exists to offer resources, a home and a respite," said Press Club President Thomas Burr. "Suzanne will be our ambassador to the news industry and public relations world to ensure our friends are aware we're here to serve them. As a former journalist and PR pro, Suzanne brings the skills we need to not only engage our current members but extend an invite to those waiting to join our ranks."

Struglinski previously worked as the Washington bureau chief for the Deseret News, the Washington correspondent for the Las Vegas Sun, a reporter at E&E Publishing's Greenwire and an editor of Provider Magazine. She also edited and managed four editions of the Almanac of the Unelected, a reference book that profiled congressional committee staff members.

Struglinski served as a two-term president of the Regional Reporters Association and was a National Press Foundation Paul Miller fellow. She also is a former press secretary for the Natural Resources Defense Council and most recently worked in business development at Baker & McKenzie, a global law firm.

She is also a former member of the Press Club, having served a three-year term as a communicator board member and as a volunteer on the Club's membership recruitment, professional development and speaker's committees.

"Journalism is in flux as never before and to navigate this new world, journalists need to network and train as never before," Struglinski said. "I know first hand how the National Press Club can create a network of connections and give members opportunities I haven't seen anywhere else."

Struglinski is a two-time recipient of the Club's Vivian Award, given for volunteer efforts.

A Chicago native, Struglinski is a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia.