Associated Press journalists who work in the field and staffers who support its mission behind the scenes are winners of the 2025 Oliver S. Gramling Awards and Chair’s Prize, the highest internal honors of The Associated Press.
Created in 1994 to recognize AP staffers for professional excellence, the Gramling Awards are decided each year by a panel of judges from across the global news organization.
The $10,000 awards come from a fund established by the estate of the late AP broadcast executive Oliver S. Gramling.
The judges this year evaluated submissions in three categories: journalism, achievement, and spirit. They also recommended a Chair’s Prize, an honor bestowed for a transformational offering that benefits AP and the news industry it serves. Created in 2004, the Chair’s Prize is not awarded every year.
“This year’s Gramling Award winners represent the dedication and excellence found across AP’s global newsroom and teams,” said AP President and CEO Daisy Veerasingham. “They demonstrated courage, innovation and an unwavering commitment to factual, nonpartisan journalism – often under extraordinary pressure. Each recipient not only has advanced AP’s mission but also inspired all of us with their professionalism and commitment.”
$10,000 Oliver S. Gramling Achievement Award
AP Newsroom Project Team
The AP Newsroom Project Team transformed how customers access AP journalism by launching a modern, AI-powered platform that improves discoverability and positions AP for the future. This team is represented by: Tiffany Brown Gooden, senior product manager; Anish Chelliserikatil, senior software engineer; Yasemin Johnson, senior manager of global customer communications; Kari Rimell, senior user experience designer; and Veronika Zielinska, deputy director of data sciences.
$10,000 Oliver S. Gramling Spirit Award
White House Access Team
Washington Deputy Bureau Chief Zeke Miller and Washington Chief Photographer Evan Vucci represented AP in its stand for the right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation or control. Their work underscores the importance of the First Amendment and AP’s ongoing commitment to it.
Vicki Cogliano, senior manager of employee benefits, New York
Vicki Cogliano is honored for her tireless dedication to employee wellbeing and aid, often under the most challenging circumstances, supporting staff across the globe.
California Wildfires Team
Entertainment editor Ryan Pearson and entertainment photographer Chris Pizzello exhibited bravery and selflessness covering the California wildfires while being displaced from and losing their own homes.
$10,000 Oliver S. Gramling Journalism Award
Trump Assassination Attempt Reporting Team
Reporter Julie Carr Smyth, photographer Gene Puskar and chief photographer Evan Vucci filed urgent, accurate and fearless coverage of the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, allowing AP to deliver the definitive account of that historic moment.
Gaza Reporting Team
AP’s team in Gaza is honored for their unwavering strength and dedication to documenting the Israel-Hamas war with clarity, courage and compassion. Reporting under unimaginable conditions and personal loss, they have delivered vital, real-time coverage that shows the full scope of the conflict.
$10,000 Chair’s Prize
1848 Elections Data Team
The 1848 Elections Data Team is recognized for developing a groundbreaking elections platform that supported one of AP’s most successful election cycles and set a new industry standard. The greater 1848 Elections Data Team is represented by: Brian Buck, manager of elections requirements and training; Deepali Monani, software engineer; Drew Kieffer, program manager; Serena Hawkins, data scientist; and Yasir Saeed, software engineer.
About AP
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day. Online: www.ap.org
Contact
Nicole Meir
Media Relations Manager
The Associated Press
212-621-7536
[email protected]
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