Debbie Anslem

Debbie Anselm is the Executive Director of the Iowa Newspaper Association (INA), where she has advanced the industry’s priorities through advocacy, innovation, and revenue growth. She has lobbied at the state and federal levels on legislation critical to newspapers—including anti-SLAPP protections, postal regulations, public notice, advertising policy, and the Journalism Preservation Act. She was instrumental in establishing INA as the official statewide website for public notices in Iowa and successfully oversaw the transition to a modern digital platform. She brought the Potter Digital Ambassador program to Iowa, securing funding and forging partnerships with higher education institutions to prepare the next generation of journalists while accelerating members’ adoption of digital products. Most recently, she has led the INA board of directors through the development of a comprehensive three-year strategic plan that lays the foundation for critical areas of development for the Iowa Newspaper Association and its members. Debbie’s career spans more than two decades in the newspaper industry, including senior leadership roles with Lee Enterprises. As President of Lee’s Iowa Strategic Business Unit, she oversaw six publications and $46 million in annual revenue, driving measurable growth in digital and local advertising, achieving double-digit gains in operating cash flow, and guiding acquisitions that expanded the company’s reach. She has managed production facilities, led mergers and day-of-week transformations, and launched new print and digital initiatives designed to grow both readership and revenue. A recognized industry leader, Debbie is passionate about the essential role of newspapers in democracy and community life. She has served on editorial boards interviewing candidates at every level of government and represented the Quad-City Times in a successful First Amendment jury trial defending freedom of the press. She has also served in leadership roles on numerous community boards, including the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the Scott County Family YMCA, Junior Achievement, and the Quad City Community Foundation. Debbie holds a B.S. in Public Affairs from Indiana University and is a Certified Workplace Integrity Trainer through the Freedom Forum’s Power Shift Project. She lives in Bettendorf, Iowa.