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Suzanne Marta


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Suzanne Marta joined the Dallas Morning News as a business reporter in 2001 and covers the travel industry and the business of sports and the arts. Prior to joining The Dallas Morning News she spent five years as a business reporter for The (Salem, OR) Statesman Journal. Marta is the Texas national representative for the Asian American Journalists Association and has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from the University of Oregon.

Okay. I drank the Kool-aid. I am now an ELP convert.
AAJA's Executive Leadership Program was something I'd heard so much - and yet so little - about over the years from other members.
They'd insist I go, but when I asked for more details they'd say, "Just go, you'll see."
ELP's record was hard to ignore: After 11 years, more than half of ELP's more than 300 graduates have received at least one promotion from their company or from a new employer.
I was lucky enough to get financial support from the Dallas Morning News - a significant thing considering the $1,000 tuition, plus travel and nearly a week's stay in New York City.
After 11 years as a business writer, I felt somewhat at a crossroads. Do I continue as a reporter, or try to move into editing? Or is there something else out there that will be my next step.
Just to set the record straight- ELP will not give you the magic answers to the tough questions of how to navigate your career. But it does offer a framework for how to think about the different issues and find the right answer for you. And you get a fantastic support network of other mid-career folks from around the country to bounce ideas off and provide a close-knit community.
The discussions about goal setting helped me to realize that it was time to refocus on what I wanted to maintain the work-life balance that was right for me.
Discussions about cultural values helped me to realize how messages I'd gotten growing up were shaping how I viewed my work and my role in an organization.
I learned the importance of marketing my skills to my organization and being my own advocate.
I still have lots to learn and many roads to cross, but I feel much better prepared to take the journey. I am a better leader, not only in my newsroom, but also in my own life.
ELP's next introductory session isn't until next year. Look for applications in November at www.aaja.org under Professional Programs. There are stipends from AAJA Texas and others available.
Mark your calendar to apply and hope to see you on the ELP grad-listserve.

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