Toyosi Ogunseye, a winner of ICFJ’s 2014 Knight International Journalism Award, and Javier Garza, a former Knight International Journalism Fellow, were named to the WEF board during this year’s World News Media Congress, held in Washington, D.C. on June 1-3. They were among five new members elected to the board.

Ogunseye, who won the Knight Award in 2014 for her outstanding investigative reporting in Nigeria, is the youngest journalist and first woman to edit the country's widely-read Sunday Punch newspaper. Her environmental and health stories have forced the Nigerian government to more strictly regulate their infrastructure, including hospitals and steel and nuclear plants.

"I consider it a privilege," said Ogunseye. "I’m committed to the ideals of the World Editors Forum board, which include promoting press freedom and quality journalism around the globe."

Garza, a former ICFJ Knight Fellow based in Mexico, served as the editorial director of El Siglo de Torreon from 2006 to 2013. In that time, the newspaper came under attack by organized crime; as a result, Garza became well-versed in security protocols for journalists. As a Fellow, Garza developed security tools and courses for journalists and bloggers in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

"I'm honored by the election to the Board," Garza said. "It gives me a chance to hear ideas from some of the most talented journalists around the world and learn about their diverse experiences. I hope I can contribute a perspective from Latin America."

WEF is an arm of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), which represents more than 18,000 publications from more than 120 countries. Garza serves as an advisor to WAN-IFRA on journalist safety.

WAN-IFRA also elected a new vice president during the Washington meeting: Michael Golden, vice chairman of The New York Times and chairman of ICFJ's Board of Directors. Golden is next in line for the presidency of WAN-IFRA behind current president Tomas Brunegard.