Virginia Business wins international awards for breaking news, cover design

Virginia Business won two international journalism awards Tuesday that recognized the October 2025 Women in Leadership cover and breaking news coverage of the University of Virginia’s president resigning under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice in June 2025.

At The Alliance of Area Business Publishers‘ (AABP) 2026 Editorial Excellence Awards ceremony, held in Wilmington, North Carolina, Virginia Business Deputy Editors Kate Andrews and Katherine Schulte received a silver award for best coverage of breaking local news at a medium-sized publication, and freelance photographer James Lee, BridgeTower Media Print Production Supervisor Joel Smith and Andrews won bronze for best magazine cover.

“This impressive gatefold involves a difficult level of logistics, fashion, lighting and location,” judges wrote about the Virginia Business Women in Leadership Awards cover, which was shot at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk. “The elegant typography reflects the values in the photograph. There is a high level of attention paid to the details in the posing and positioning of the leaders. The orchestration creates a graceful balance. The additional attention to the colors in the fashion is integral, reinforcing how each part had [to] succeed to make this impressive cover.”

For Andrews and Schulte’s story on U.Va. President James Ryan’s sudden resignation, judges wrote, “The reporter broke the news of University of Virginia President James E. Ryan resigning under pressure from the DOJ with speed and authority. The story balanced the political, legal and institutional stakes while emphasizing the broader implications for higher education leadership.”

The 2026 AABP awards were judged by faculty members from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Each award category was judged by a panel of three judges. The awards ceremony was held as part of AABP’s three-day annual conference.

Founded in 1979, AABP is a Norwalk, Connecticut-based nonprofit organization representing 57 regional and local business publications based mostly in the United States, but also including publications in Canada and Western Australia.