Awards and Recognition

As a member of the 2026 cohort, I attended the SPJ Leadership Institute's three-day, two-night intensive program designed to prepare emerging leaders to be effective champions of a free press and responsible stewards of volunteer-powered journalism organizations. 

The Institute brings together a cohort of members from across the country for hands-on leadership development, practical governance training and scenario-based workshops that strengthen the strategic and interpersonal skills needed to lead at the chapter, regional and national levels.

California News Publishers Association awarded 1st place to my three-part series about a former Calistoga city manager's tenure. The publisher/editor of The Register said in his recommendation letter, "This series exposed governance failures, extraordinary employee turnover, scrutinized compensation‬ and severance decisions, and examined the civic consequences of council inaction.‬

"This was not an easy story to report. ...‭ Lauren drove more than two‬ hours from Sonoma County to attend a South San Francisco City Council meeting after‬ Snideman was hired there at a higher salary. In a direct encounter, Snideman indicated she‬ would speak with our reporter, but she ultimately did not.‬
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"This series was built over weeks of careful sourcing, document review and verification. Lauren‬ reconstructed timelines, analyzed contracts and compensation data, and interviewed individuals‬ who feared professional repercussions. The reporting was disciplined and fair.‬"