About me
Tara Puckey, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CMP is the President and CEO of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and the RTDNA Foundation, where she leads strategic initiatives that advance the future of journalism and strengthen the impact of news organizations across the country. A champion of mission-driven leadership, Tara brings more than a decade of senior association management experience with a focus on leadership development, press freedom advocacy and organizational sustainability.
In 2018, she was named to Association Forum’s Forty Under 40 for her work with a variety of associations and involvement in state and national organizations. Tara has been active in ASAE, serving as Chair of the Small Staff Advisory Committee and the Executive Management Advisory Council. Recognized as an Obama Leader for 2025–2026, she is also a Certified Association Executive, Certified Meeting Professional and Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives.
Tara is a frequent speaker on leadership wellbeing, values-based decision-making, and the evolving local news landscape, and is the co-host of the *Leadership Wellbeing Series* podcast, which explores the human side of association leadership. She has trained more than 3,000 journalists and nonprofit professionals in effective leadership practice.
She’s a proud graduate of Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), lives just outside of Indianapolis and, aside from associations and journalism, she loves craft beer, great pens and true crime podcasts.
