What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as an independent contributor has been to muster the courage to stand on the power of my convictions.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes.
How is social media changing news?
In ways that are both powerful and perilous.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman, who is not just a superhero but a symbol of moral clarity, truth-seeking, and resilience.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Four things come to mîd: laking the complex clear, shaping the narrative, holding space for integrity, and mentoring at scale.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Get tot he point fast, make it mission-driven, and show the angle, not the ad.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Mac computer, word processing software, internet search, large language models, microphone, smartphone, social media...
What's your favorite social network?
Linkedin. I was selected a Top Voice for both Leadership and Information Security back in July 2024.
Who do you wish followed you?
Oprah Winfrey.
Why did you become a journalist?
Like Clark Kent, I believe in in truth, service, and using my platform to-protect and empower others.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not work for my high school newspaper, but I did contribute articles and poems.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I am most proud of writing articles aligned with my core values even when societal trends change.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Lead with truth NOT traffic. Clicks fade. Truth lasts. Focus on uncovering truth, your voice will stand out in a algorithm-driven world.
When's the best time to pitch you?
You can pitch me any time.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Writing about diversity in tech.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I have never received a bad pitch, simply pitches I did not want to pursue.
What's your favorite drink?
Water because water is life.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
The beach.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Harvard Business Review.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Technology is neutral.
