2026 PRIZE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDEE

Eileen Drage O’Reilly is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience across the U.S., Asia and Europe. Her work spans newsroom standards, AI practices, investigations, international affairs, public policy, and press freedom.

She currently is the head of standards and AI practices at Axios, where she promotes journalism best practices while helping shape Axios' dynamic and unique Smart Brevity style. She leads newsroom conversations around how emerging technologies — including generative AI — can responsibly support accurate, trustworthy journalism. She also contributes to investigations and video projects, including the Telly Award-winning “The Axios Show” and “Axios on HBO,” which won an Emmy in 2021.

Eileen served as the 116th president of the National Press Club in 2023, hosting high-profile newsmakers, elevating important discussions about news deserts, and championing journalists' rights worldwide. She now serves on the boards of the National Press Club Journalism Institute (NPCJI) and the Organization of News Ombuds and Standards Editors (ONO), continuing her work to strengthen journalism and defend press freedom.

Before Axios, Eileen reported and edited for wire services, newspapers, magazines, and digital outlets in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Her international work focused on global affairs, public policy, international trade and geopolitics, with particular expertise in the Asia-Pacific region.

Her favorite memories as a foreign correspondent reflect two sides of the job: learning how to adapt and integrate into a new culture, while knowing when to challenge its conventions to hold power to account.