ATHENS, GA (March 29, 2016) – Akili-Casundria Ramsess has been named the new Executive Director of the National Press Photographers Association, NPPA President Melissa Lyttle announced today.

“We’re incredibly excited … Akili brings a wealth of experience, energy and ideas, as well as an innate ability to connect people,” Lyttle said. “She’s proven herself as a leader in the newsroom, a mentor to students through her work with the National Association of Black Journalists' Visual Task Force, and has an understanding of the needs of both staffers and independent visual journalists.”

Past NPPA President and current co-counsel Alicia Calzada, who was part of the Executive Director Search Committee, said that she was impressed by Ramsess.

“Her vision for the organization and her experience promoting and supporting photojournalists leaves me with no doubt that she will guide the NPPA well in both the immediate future and long term.”

"I think Akili is going to be a great addition to NPPA's leadership,” said Regional Chairs Representative and Search Committee member Kyle Grantham.

“It's going to be great for NPPA members to have someone who speaks their language at the helm. When coupled with Akili's background in both digital and print media, and her leadership experience, I have no doubt she'll help the NPPA continue to grow and evolve with the industry."

"I have a love and passion for photojournalism that spans a career of over 30 years in the industry,” Ramsess told News Photographer magazine today.

“I hope to bring a sense of urgency and advocacy to see us re-imagine our role and thrive as our industry continues to grapple with ever-changing technology and economic survival. Becoming NPPA’s new Executive Director, I am thrilled to be part of a leadership team that is committed to the expansion of the community of visual journalists and to NPPA being a relevant resource in your daily lives."

Ramsess first joined NPPA in 1994. She started her career as a staff photographer at the now-defunct Los Angeles Herald Examiner and as an independent photojournalist in the Los Angeles area where she covered news, entertainment, and sports for local newspapers, wire services, and national magazines.

Ramsess was the Features Photo Editor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and she spent eight years in a variety of roles at the San Jose Mercury News, including being their Deputy Director of Photography/Print. Then she served as a photography editor, multimedia producer, and the Director of Photography for the Orlando Sentinel from 2007 until the end of 2011.

She started her own business in 2012, Eye of Ramsess Media, an independent photography and multimedia production company based in Atlanta.

Ramsess’ first day of work at the NPPA headquarters at the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, is April 4. And her new eMail address will be [email protected]