The Professional Photographers of America Has a New CEO

Last yr, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) had a really odd and really public disaster of management because the board of administrators was caught in a wave of controversy. Now, simply over a yr later, the PPA has a brand new CEO.

As a little bit of a recap of that unusual scenario, the elected president and vp from October 2024 have been denied their management positions by the PPA board. That led to a really public spat between members and the board, which led to an emergency in-person assembly throughout Imaging USA in February 2025. Described because the “meeting of doom,” attendees described it as being flanked by armed guards and the place each side pointed fingers and blamed one another. In the top, a vote to recall the board failed, leading to no management modifications.

Today, a brand new CEO has taken over the reins at PPA: Angela Kurkian.

“Kurkian, a professional photographer by trade, understands the dutiful roles and responsibilities PPA plays within the ever-changing global photographic community. Kurkian sees a progressive agenda heading into the second half of 2026, from increased attention toward professional standards, like certification programming, to greater visibility around its stable of photography experts who differentiate its education and skills hub from the marketplace,” a PPA press launch says.  

“As artificial intelligence permeates all aspects of creative industries, including photography, Kurkian intends to place greater emphasis on member support tied to business and career development. PPA has always been sought after for its industry-defining efforts in advocacy and legal protections, as well as insurance and risk management offerings, areas Kurkian promises to continue to lead.”

Kurkian is an expert photographer who began her profession in 1994. She joined PPA as a member in 1994, then as Director of Education in 2012, the place she oversaw the manufacturing and deployment of all academic content material and workshops.
 
“PPA has an incredible legacy, having played a pivotal role in the journeys of many professional photographers for more than 150 years,” says Kurkian. “We were founded to provide photographers with resources and creative protection, which they have come to expect. I want our members to take advantage of the rich community-building available for them to learn, share, and grow, especially as the photography landscape changes in the intelligence age. I am honored and energized as we move into a new era for PPA, PhotoVision, and the critical importance of photography and video storytelling to the human element.”

It ought to be famous that the members of the PPA board who have been on the heart of the controversy in 2025 remain there. So, regardless of a brand new CEO, a lot of the PPA’s decision-making personalities stay unchanged. PPA’s web site no longer lists or names an active council president both.

Image credit: PPA