Contact: spjgeorgia@gmail.com

ATLANTA — The Georgia Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has elected new board leadership for the 2026–2027 term.

Susanna Capelouto, NPR Southern bureau chief and current SPJ Georgia treasurer, and Patty Rasmussen, an independent journalist and chair of the chapter’s freelance committee, will serve as co-presidents. Joshua Wilson, managing editor of Appen Media Group and SPJ Georgia media literacy committee chair, was elected vice president.

They will succeed President Katja Ridderbusch and Vice President Genelle Williams, who did not seek re-election. The new leadership team will take office August 3, 2026.

“Together, we hope to expand SPJ Georgia’s reach across the state and serve as strong advocates for the ethics and standards of professional journalism,” Capelouto said.

“By building breadth and depth in chapter membership and identifying future leaders we want to ensure that SPJ Georgia will continue to thrive long after our 15-months-tenure,” Rasmussen added.

With administrative responsibilities divided between them, the co- presidents also plan to devote more time to building on the chapter’s strong foundation of media education for the broader community, Rasmussen said.

“Media literacy training will be front and center during our tenure,” Capelouto added.

The incoming leaders bring extensive experience in quality journalism and newsroom management. Capelouto has worked as a reporter and editor for Georgia Public Broadcasting, WABE, Atlanta’s NPR station, and CNN.

Rasmussen worked as a magazine staff writer and now freelances for clients including Georgia Trend magazine, Bookhouse Group, Notable Line and Conway Data. Her work has also appeared in Site Selection magazine, Major League Baseball publications and the Atlanta Journal- Constitution. Wilson’s previous roles include editor and publisher of The Macon Melody and executive editor of The Mississippi Business Journal.

The leadership trio will be supported by Secretary Rachel Spooner, student representative Lee Peters, and at-large board members Benjamin Grady, Jennifer McKee, Sabriya Rice, Kim Speece and Mark Woolsey. McKee was newly elected to the board. Capelouto will continue to serve as treasurer until a successor is appointed to complete the term. Ridderbusch will remain on the Board for one year as immediate past president.

“As Genelle and I pass the baton, I know the chapter is in excellent hands with leaders who are eager to serve,” Ridderbusch said. “I’m confident that SPJ Georgia will continue to make a mark as one of the most innovative and engaged chapters in the SPJ family.”

The outgoing president thanked the board members who served during her tenure for their commitment, inspiration and loyalty, particularly Vice President Williams, immediate past president Laura Downey and at-large member Mitch LeV, who recently stepped down from the Board.

An Atlanta-based independent journalist with international reporting experience, Ridderbusch became the first immigrant to serve as president of SPJ Georgia.

During Ridderbusch’s tenure, SPJ Georgia expanded its professional development programming for journalists as well as its public education eVorts. The chapter placed a particular emphasis on journalist safety and security and on strengthening media literacy.

Under Ridderbusch’s leadership, SPJ Georgia secured a grant from the SPJ Foundation to launch the statewide “Georgia Knows Media” campaign. The chapter also increased its membership by 35 percent.

“Katja Ridderbusch has been the kind of president every chapter would want,” said Adam Sennott, SPJ National Programming Committee Chair. “She works hard, comes up with excellent programming, and has endless enthusiasm. SPJ Georgia is better for her eVorts and so is the national organization.”

About SPJ and SPJ Georgia

The Georgia Pro Chapter of SPJ represents working journalists and communication professionals in the state who are committed to advocating for freedom of information and the public’s right to know. The Society of Professional Journalists is the oldest organization representing journalists in the United States. It is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and educating current and future journalists through professional development. The SPJ Code of Ethics has become a standard for ethical reporting and is being applied by most news organizations across the U.S.