I’m running to serve a full term on the board of the Society of Environmental Journalists, to continue serving an organization I believe in deeply.
I was appointed to the board in June 2021 to serve the remainder of a term. In my short time on the board I've learned about the scope and breadth of SEJ's work, and the duties of board members. I serve on the fundraising and governance committees, and am grateful I can bring my experience in nonprofit journalism to SEJ. I would be honored to earn your support to continue that work.
My career so far has been shaped by collaborative news enterprises, where I've seen firsthand the value in forging partnerships. SEJ grows stronger when we find ways to continue building upon existing partnerships and forging new ones. The recently launched Missouri School of Journalism's Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is a great example of something I'd love to build upon and replicate. SEJ is growing and changing. It's taking on new initiatives, like a greater inclusion of diverse perspectives among board members, staff and membership. Being able to continue guiding that evolution as a board member would be an honor.
I also hope to help SEJ weather uncertain times. The pandemic continues to challenge our ability to plan and adapt. In my time on both the fundraising and governance committees I've given input on policies regarding SEJ's pandemic responses, and will continue that work in my full term.
When I ran for a board seat in 2020, I committed myself to mentor the next generation of environmental journalists. I recommit myself to that goal. I've been fortunate to have earned support from existing board members, and I hope to give back to the journalism community that has helped me shape my own career.
Journalists are supposed to be good listeners, and I hope to embody that idea during my board tenure. My inbox and phone are always open to feedback.
Thank you, and I hope to earn your support for the SEJ Board.
Biography
Luke Runyon is a Ted Scripps Environmental Journalism fellow at the University of Colorado Boulder. He reports on water in the Western U.S., with a focus on the Colorado River watershed.
He's currently on leave from NPR member station KUNC, where he built and reported for a network of public media stations in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada. Runyon previously reported for Harvest Public Media, Aspen Public Radio and Illinois Public Radio. His reports have been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. He's a frequent guest on national programs, including Science Friday, Living On Earth and ClimateOne.
Runyon holds a master's degree in Public Affairs Reporting and a bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Illinois Springfield. His work has been recognized by SEJ, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Public Media Journalists Association.
He splits his time between Fort Collins and Grand Junction, Colo. with Dylan, his partner of five years. When he's not out reporting, you can usually find him wading in rivers in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
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