Experience

Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA)

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Member

  • Oct 2023 - Present



Spotlight PA

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

• CEO & President

  • Mar 2019 - Present

  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Area CEO and founding editor-in-chief of Spotlight PA, the largest statewide newsroom in Pennsylvania. Launched in 2019, Spotlight PA now provides unique, deeply reported investigative and public-service journalism focused on the state government and urgent statewide issues to 90+ newsrooms through the largest collaborative distribution network of its kind in the United States. In this role, Baxter built Spotlight PA from the ground up and oversees its statewide content, revenue, and product… Show more CEO and founding editor-in-chief of Spotlight PA, the largest statewide newsroom in Pennsylvania. Launched in 2019, Spotlight PA now provides unique, deeply reported investigative and public-service journalism focused on the state government and urgent statewide issues to 90+ newsrooms through the largest collaborative distribution network of its kind in the United States. In this role, Baxter built Spotlight PA from the ground up and oversees its statewide content, revenue, and product strategies with the goal of achieving long-term sustainability. The nonprofit newsroom has prompted significant change through its reporting and won numerous local and national awards, including the 2022 Gerald Loeb Award, 2022 Freedom of Information Award from Investigative Reporters & Editors, the 2022 Best Investigative Journalism Award and the 2022 Game-Changer Award from the Institute for Nonprofit News, and the 2021 Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award from the Online News Association. Show less



NJ Advance Media

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Editor, Data & Investigations

  • Sep 2017 - Mar 2019

  Iselin, NJ Investigative journalist managing a team of six highly-skilled data and visual reporters and leading the newsroom's highest-level investigative projects with a digital-first approach and an emphasis on journalism that gets results. Leads the newsroom's project agenda, including idea generation and selection, reporting oversight, editing, presentation, web design, audience and roll-out strategies, audience maximization and engagement. Works closely with website operations and social teams to… Show more Investigative journalist managing a team of six highly-skilled data and visual reporters and leading the newsroom's highest-level investigative projects with a digital-first approach and an emphasis on journalism that gets results. Leads the newsroom's project agenda, including idea generation and selection, reporting oversight, editing, presentation, web design, audience and roll-out strategies, audience maximization and engagement. Works closely with website operations and social teams to achieve maximum returns on the newsroom's highest-level reporting, while also advancing other newsroom priorities including special publications, recruitment and content branding.

• Lead for Enterprise Development

  • May 2016 - Sep 2017

  Investigative reporter and editor who managed the development of enterprise skills, idea generation and story execution across a staff of more than 120 reporters in various departments and locations in a digital/mobile-first newsroom. Supported and promoted high-quality journalism in a fast-paced environment by assessing individual strengths and weaknesses, setting enterprise skill and story goals, and identifying the most promising ideas and talent. Promoted collaboration among reporters and… Show more Investigative reporter and editor who managed the development of enterprise skills, idea generation and story execution across a staff of more than 120 reporters in various departments and locations in a digital/mobile-first newsroom. Supported and promoted high-quality journalism in a fast-paced environment by assessing individual strengths and weaknesses, setting enterprise skill and story goals, and identifying the most promising ideas and talent. Promoted collaboration among reporters and with other news organizations and non-traditional partners. Assisted in newsroom recruitment and the annual summer internship program.



University of Michigan

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Mike Wallace Fellow in Investigative Reporting - Knight-Wallace Fellowships

  • Aug 2015 - Apr 2016

  Ann Arbor, MI Selected for the Mike Wallace Fellowship in Investigative Reporting as part of the 2015-'16 class of the Knight-Wallace Fellowship program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Studying how to support, promote and integrate enterprise and investigative journalism in digital-first newsrooms that increasingly rely on digital metrics as a primary indicator of reader interest and as a tool for reporter evaluation. Also exploring picture book writing and traveling the world.



NJ Advance Media

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Statehouse Investigative Reporter

  • May 2011 - Aug 2015

  Trenton, NJ Statehouse and investigative reporter for NJ Advance Media, serving The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, the largest and leading sources of New Jersey news. Responsible for covering the New Jersey State Police and state Attorney General's Office and working on statewide investigations.



The Morning Call

• Online Media
• 100 - 200 Employee

• City Hall Reporter

  • Oct 2008 - Apr 2011

  Allentown, Pennsylvania Area City hall reporter for The Morning Call, a 100,000-circulation Tribune Co. newspaper based in Allentown, Pa. Responsible for coverage of Allentown, the state's third-largest city and home to more than 118,000 people. Previously responsible for coverage of Easton, a city of more than 26,000 people, the Easton Area School district and numerous municipalities and other school districts.



Boston Globe Media

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 700 & Above Employee

• Internship: News Reporter

  • Jun 2008 - Sep 2008



Pilot Media Solutions | The Virginian-Pilot

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Internship: News Reporter

  • May 2007 - Aug 2007



The Morning Call

• Online Media
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Internship: News Reporter

  • May 2006 - Aug 2006



Concord Monitor

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Internship: News Reporter

  • Jun 2005 - Aug 2005