Newly formed Vermont Journalism Coalition names first board of directors
December 10, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout
A newly formed nonprofit dedicated to supporting and sustaining Vermont journalism has elected its first board of directors, including Waterbury Roundabout editor Lisa Scagliotti.
Founded in June, the Vermont Journalism Coalition represents more than 40 newspapers, television stations, radio stations and digital news outlets across the state. Its mission is to represent the shared interests of professional news organizations in Vermont and to advocate for the principles of journalism.
In its first leadership elections late last month, nine people were named to serve on its board:
Dom Amato — Assistant news director, WCAX-TV
Bridget Higdon — Publisher and editor, O’Rourke Media Group (Saint Albans Messenger, Essex Reporter, Milton Independent, Colchester Sun)
Lisa Scagliotti — Editor and publisher, Waterbury Roundabout
Paul Fixx — Editor, Hardwick Gazette
John Flowers — Senior reporter, Addison County Independent
Lisa Loomis — Editor, Valley Reporter
Tim Calabro — Editor and publisher, White River Valley Herald
Mark Davis — News director, Vermont Public
Cassandra Hemenway — Editor-in-chief, The Bridge
The board then chose officers who will serve on its executive committee. Davis was elected president of the board, Higdon as vice president, Hemenway as treasurer and Calabro as secretary.
Davis, who previously reported for the Valley News and Seven Days, said he was honored to serve as the inaugural president of the coalition.
“Our work will help foster connections between Vermont's news outlets and allow us to work together on editorial and economic matters of joint interest as we all navigate a landscape that grows more challenging by the year,” he said. “Vermont has long been blessed with a vigorous, collegial press corps, and we are determined to build an organization that helps those proud traditions endure.”
Higdon, who oversees the newsrooms of four Franklin County and Chittenden County newspapers, said she is looking forward to setting the new organization up for success.
“The VJC will help elevate and advocate for the more than 40 news outlets keeping us informed on a daily basis,” she said. “If Vermonters value that work, it's important that we put our policies and our dollars where our mouth is."
The board’s first task will be to hire a part-time executive director to lead the coalition on a day-to-day basis. Potential candidates for the position can learn more here.
The coalition also launched its website last week, at vermontjournalism.com.
Financial support for the coalition is provided by the Vermont Community Foundation’s Press Forward Vermont chapter and the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News.