53rd Annual Excellence in Journalism Special Awards Recipients
Each year, the San Diego Press Club honors individuals for their impressive career accomplishments and contributions to our San Diego media community. Our 2026 recipients exceed our award standards in every way. Join the San Diego Press Club as we celebrate their well-deserved recognition and join us at the Excellence in Journalism Awards on October 27 as our winners receive their awards.
Harold Keen Award for Outstanding Contribution in Journalism
Harold Keen Award recipients are nominated by their peers and voted on by past recipients.
Elsa Sevilla
Elsa Sevilla is an award-winning journalist and historical filmmaker with a career spanning four decades. Arriving in San Diego at age five speaking only Spanish, Sevilla found connection through storytelling, driving a lifelong commitment to sharing stories that inform, inspire and empower.
After internships at NBC 7 San Diego and C-SPAN, Sevilla spent 20 years at KGTV 10 News, including 13 years on the air covering breaking news, investigative reports and major events.
Sevilla founded Sevilla Productions in 1998. As creator and host of Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla airing on KPBS, she has produced more than 80 documentaries since launching the series in 2008.
Sevilla has received awards for her work from the California Chicano News Media Association, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle, San Diego Press Club, San Diego State University, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Andy Mace Award for Outstanding Contribution in Public Relations
Andy Mace Award recipients are nominated by their peers and voted on by past recipients.
Denise Scatena
Denise Scatena is CEO of Scatena Media Group. With nearly 30 years of experience, Scatena has led award-winning campaigns and initiatives across many sectors: nonprofits, healthcare, telecommunications, hospitality, professional services, and more.
Scatena has been instrumental in the growth and long-term success of Mama’s Kitchen, both professionally and as a former board member whose leadership helped shape and strengthen the organization during its formative years.
Scatena’s community involvement and pro bono work for numerous nonprofit organizations includes services as a San Diego Press Club board member from 2019-2025. For her efforts, Scatena was honored with the Eva Irving Community Service Award in 2024 and as the Deborah L. Baker Public Relations Professional of the Year in 2020 by the San Diego/Imperial Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Jim Reiman Enlightened Media Management Award
After spending a dozen years in national media roles, Claire and Troy Johnson acquired San Diego Magazine in 2021. The former NBC Universal advertising executive and food writer/TV personality decided it was time to build something at home.
Over the last five years, they have transformed the 78-year-old magazine into a full media platform. Among their initiatives: launching Here We Are Studios, an in-house creative shop; and co-founding the Del Mar Wine and Food Festival.
The Johnsons remain convinced a city’s story should be told by the people who actually live there.
Terry Williams Directors Award
Dr. Max Branscomb
During his 30 year career at Southwestern College, Dr. Max Branscomb taught journalism, mass communication, creative writing and political science, serving as faculty advisor of the Southwestern College Sun since 1996. He founded El Sol Magazine in 2010.
Under Dr. Branscomb’s leadership, the two publications have won 26 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Awards – the collegiate Pulitzer Prize – and were named National Collegiate Publication of the Year more than 40 times since 2003.
Dr. Branscomb is a five-time National College Journalism Professor of the Year and Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine Award winner. He is a member of the ACP Journalism Professors Hall of Fame.. Dr. Branscomb received the California Chicano News Media Lifetime Achievement Award and the San Diego Press Club Jim Reiman Award for Outstanding Media Management in 2008.
