Kelsey Harkness, a senior news producer at The Daily Signal, Heritage's multimedia news organization, has been chosen as this year’s recipient of a fellowship named in honor of the late conservative journalist Tony Blankley.

The Colorado-based Steamboat Institute established the Tony Blankley Chair for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism to honor the memory of Blankley, who served as press secretary to then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich and later as editorial-page editor of The Washington Times.

“We are thrilled to award this year’s Tony Blankley fellowship to Kelsey Harkness,” Jennifer Schubert-Akin, CEO of the Steamboat Institute, said in a press release announcing this year’s recipient.

“Tony Blankley had a unique ability to address conservative policy issues, while maintaining a personal connection to his audience,” Ms. Schubert-Akin said. “With Kelsey’s gift for communicating, she will build on Tony’s substantial legacy by communicating conservative policy in a language he appreciated and that all of us can understand—human emotion.”

Ms. Harkness’ award presentation will be a part of the institute’s annual Freedom Conference & Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on Aug. 25-26.

The fellowship comes with a $10,000 stipend, travel expenses and speaking engagements, Ms. Schubert-Akin said.

Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media and a member of the Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees, will give the event's keynote address.

“In her three years at The Daily Signal, Kelsey Harkness has shown herself again and again to be a fearless reporter, dedicated to unearthing the truth, and telling the stories too often ignored by the mainstream media,” said Katrina Trinko, director and managing editor of The Daily Signal.

“We’re proud—but not surprised—that her outstanding communication gifts are being acknowledged with this award.”