Experience

Solutions Journalism Network

• United States
• Media Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Program & Operating Officer

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  Chief Program Officer, Aug 2022-March 2023// Operating Officer title & duties added April 2023.Leads the strategy to accelerate rigorous reporting on promising responses to society’s most difficult problems and expand access to those stories, wherever people get their news. Leads on planning, strategizing and coordinating across SJN’s programming and services with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion to meet our aim. Responsible for cultivating cross-organizational relationships and connections, improving existing programming and services, soliciting feedback, analyzing effectiveness and planning and coordinating new programs. Show less

• Vice President of Network Strategy

  • Apr 2021 - Aug 2022

• Director of Journalism School Partnerships

  • Jun 2018 - Apr 2021



Society of Professional Journalists SPJLA

• Los Angeles, California, United States

• Board Member

  • Jan 2023 - Present



Ascencia

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Member

  • Apr 2023 - Present

  Ascencia provideds a broad array of services to unhoused people and families. Ascencia provideds a broad array of services to unhoused people and families.



CRIJA

• Board Member

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  The Charles M. Rappleye Investigative Journalism Award is awarded to a working journalist or team in need of resources, either financial or in-kind, to support this kind of journalism. The Charles M. Rappleye Investigative Journalism Award is awarded to a working journalist or team in need of resources, either financial or in-kind, to support this kind of journalism.



Global Press Journal

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Editor

  • Apr 2021 - Jan 2022

  Supported women reporting on their communities in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mexico by developing, editing and coordinating publication of their work for this transformative international news platform. Supported women reporting on their communities in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mexico by developing, editing and coordinating publication of their work for this transformative international news platform.



USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Adjunct Professor of Journalism

  • Jun 2018 - Jan 2021



GroundSource

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Storyteller

  • Apr 2018 - Dec 2018



JTrust

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder and Publisher

  • Jun 2017 - Mar 2018

  Built, wrote, distributed and promoted this pop-up newsletter and Twitter feed focused on rebuilding trust in journalism. •Consulted with the Trust Project at Santa Clara University to design and focus newsletter content. •Researched and developed educational materials focused on Building Trust for betternews.org, a resource for news innovators from the American Press Institute. •Participated in workshop with the 32 Percent Project, a national community engagement project of the University of Oregon School of Journalism exploring what drives and disrupts trust in the news media. •Newsletter cited by Poynter and Muck Rack Daily and re-published by Local News Lab, a publication of the Democracy Fund. Show less



Zócalo Public Square

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Los Angeles

  • May 2016 - May 2017

  Editorial Director, September 2016-May 2017 Associate Editor, May 2016-August 2016 Led the editorial team for this Los Angeles-based non-profit blending live events and journalism. Partnered with educational, cultural, and philanthropic institutions, as well as public agencies, to present free public events and conferences in cities across the U.S. and beyond, and publish original daily journalism syndicated to media outlets worldwide. •Oversaw a team of staffers and freelancers in creating, publishing and distributing journalism and opinion essays to nearly 300 syndicate partners including the Washington Post and Time. •Worked with funders to ensure consistent support YOY. Show less



Reuters News Agency

• United Kingdom
• Media Production
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Editor in Charge, West Coast

  • Dec 2015 - Apr 2016

  Guided general news coverage from the Rockies to the Pacific for the largest news organization in the world. Guided general news coverage from the Rockies to the Pacific for the largest news organization in the world.



Carey Institute for Global Good

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Writer in Residence

  • Oct 2015 - Nov 2015

  Worked on memoir about growing up on Chicago's South Side in the midst of one of the most sweeping slum clearance and urban renewal efforts of the 20th Century. Worked on memoir about growing up on Chicago's South Side in the midst of one of the most sweeping slum clearance and urban renewal efforts of the 20th Century.



NBCLA

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Digital News

  • Dec 2013 - Oct 2015

  With a heavy focus on cross-platform integration, led the team that developed and implemented a successful digital strategy across mobile, social and web at NBC4 Southern California, including audience engagement, data visualization, high-quality original video, photos and written content to create a compelling multi-screen storytelling experience. Charged with the primary responsibility for the growth of NBC4's digital platforms and tasked with extending and evolving relationships and partnerships across the station and the division, including news, product development, design, promotions and sales. *Partnered with Investigative Team on "In Harm's Way," a series of reports exposing violations in ground transport safety rules that led to the shut-down several companies and won a 2013 IRE Award *Won first Sigma Delta Chi Award for NBCLA.com from The Society for Professional Journalists for Deadline Reporting online*Won first Murrow Regional Award for NBCLA.com for series on physical therapists and legal violations*Grew to No. 1 for unique visitors among local TV stations in market (comScore 2014)*Tenfold growth in Twitter followers*No.1 on Instagram among local TV stations in market *Enhanced mobile experience, including mobile web, and news and weather apps*Initiated livestreaming all newscasts as well as breaking news events *Hosted first digital news fellowship in partnership with Asian American Journalists Assn, which resulted in the hiring of the fellow as an on-camera multi-media journalist*Finalist for Shorty award for special Real-Time LA Riots Twitter account for Best Use of Social Media for News*Initiated and shepherded NBC/Telemundo/Comcast-sponsored annual Diversity Reception at Online News Assn conference*Identified as an "exceptional performer" by president and general manager*Promoted from Editorial Director, Digital News to VP, Digital News in December, 2013 Show less

• Editorial Director

  • Mar 2011 - Dec 2013



Los Angeles Times

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Contributing Editor, Op-Ed

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

  Conceived and wrote opinion pieces on a wide range of issues, including capital punishment, the economic crisis, public art and urban parks and more. Conceived and wrote opinion pieces on a wide range of issues, including capital punishment, the economic crisis, public art and urban parks and more.



USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Adjunct Professor of Journalism

  • Aug 2007 - Dec 2012

  Taught intensive news reporting and writing classes to graduate and undergraduate students in the core curriculum, including mentoring students and publishing student work in collaboration with relevant news outlets. Taught intensive news reporting and writing classes to graduate and undergraduate students in the core curriculum, including mentoring students and publishing student work in collaboration with relevant news outlets.



Patch.com

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Regional Editor

  • Feb 2010 - Feb 2011

  As the point person in Southern California, helped bring AOL's fast-growing, high-profile Patch enterprise to the West Coast, launching, editing and managing dozens of hyperlocal sites. *Worked closely with regional and national leadership in shaping the vision and strategy for the operation, including revamping the CMS and initiating development of mobile apps. *Created and managed P&L for multi-million-dollar budget and 30-plus member team, executing full range of management responsibilities, including mentoring, editing and day-to-day staff oversight as well as hiring, evaluation and separation. *Led the company in exceeding unique visitor goals to individual sites and grew Facebook fans and Twitter followers across the sites tenfold in less than six months. *Created company-wide online management tools to help train and manage editors, reporters and freelancers, reducing staff workload and improving transparency and information flow. *Created and implemented editorial internship program, adopted company-wide. *Facilitated partnership with University of Southern California journalism program to publish student content. *Identified as "top one percent" of Patch management by editor in chief. Show less



Mother Jones

• United States
• Internet News
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Contributing Writer

  • Mar 2005 - Feb 2008

  Reported and wrote narrative-driven, long-form features on race, immigration and criminal and social justice, including the memoir "A is for Afro." Reported and wrote narrative-driven, long-form features on race, immigration and criminal and social justice, including the memoir "A is for Afro."



LA Weekly

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Staff Writer

  • 1996 - 2004

  Covered a range of news stories as well as wrote longer features and investigative stories on criminal justice, the death penalty, AIDS, politics and the environment. Wrote personal essays, author interviews and music, concert, book and restaurant reviews. Assisted in editing and proofreading the news section. Covered a range of news stories as well as wrote longer features and investigative stories on criminal justice, the death penalty, AIDS, politics and the environment. Wrote personal essays, author interviews and music, concert, book and restaurant reviews. Assisted in editing and proofreading the news section.



Los Angeles Daily News

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Reporter

  • Jun 1995 - Aug 1996

  As a general assignment reporter wrote breaking stories and lifestyle features. Profiled political figures including Tom Hayden, Henry Waxman and Jesse Jackson. Covered the O.J. Simpson verdict and other major events of the day. As a general assignment reporter wrote breaking stories and lifestyle features. Profiled political figures including Tom Hayden, Henry Waxman and Jesse Jackson. Covered the O.J. Simpson verdict and other major events of the day.



Los Angeles Times

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Reporter

  • Jan 1992 - Jun 1995

  While at the Times, first as an intern, then as a reporter, wrote more than 1,000 deadline-driven stories. Covered the city of Simi Valley after the Rodney King verdict, as well as health and transportation in Ventura County. Edited news features, wrote a traffic column and contributed to the Pulitzer-Prize-winning coverage of the Northridge earthquake. While at the Times, first as an intern, then as a reporter, wrote more than 1,000 deadline-driven stories. Covered the city of Simi Valley after the Rodney King verdict, as well as health and transportation in Ventura County. Edited news features, wrote a traffic column and contributed to the Pulitzer-Prize-winning coverage of the Northridge earthquake.