About Me

I’m an independent traveler, a probing explorer and a unique storyteller. The same curiosity that drove me through my anthropology degree 13 years ago still drives me today. I am fascinated by our “why” and how that changes for each person and community.

During my undergraduate studies, I majored in anthropology, exploring human evolution, archaeology and cultural studies. A semester living in Costa Rica exposed me to the rich culture and history that culminated in my immersive learning of the language. I extended my stay with an international research grant to study “pura vida,” an expression said to embody the Costa Rican way of life. I interviewed locals and immigrants from around the country and documented the use, history and cultural significance of the term.

Subsequently, I transitioned to marketing, drawn to the ability to continue as an observer and storyteller. In my first marketing role, I produced videos, newsletters, social media posts and brochures about one of the oldest wineries in California. As I rose through the ranks, I started to learn about people in a different way: through numbers. I measured how site visitors responded to specific copy, imagery and platforms. I researched niche audiences in the life science and health industries. I curated stories to these audiences and presented insights about them to senior leadership.

While marketing allowed me to balance data-driven stories with creativity, I eventually felt the need to find a more fulfilling path; one that could reveal truth rather than obscuring it. Despite frequent promotions and accolades, I planned to save up for two years to leave my decade-long marketing career in search of a renewed purpose that could have a far-reaching impact. 

I left my role as director in September 2022. I decided to spend the initial months of my hiatus in Peru, a country that resonated with my love for Latin America, Spanish, and anthropology. While I was fascinated by the rich history of the ancient Limeños through my volunteer work at Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, I was even more drawn to the contemporary culture surrounding me. 

During my third month in Peru, I witnessed a failed attempt by then-president Pedro Castillo to dissolve congress, which ended with his incarceration. Protests erupted across the nation. Captivated by the unfolding events, I felt compelled to interview locals, seeking to grasp the intricate political landscape. It was during this experience that my aspiration to become a journalist crystallized. It encompasses everything I seek: social impact, investigation, storytelling, connections to individuals and their contexts, and technical skills I have already begun to hone.

When I returned to the U.S., I immediately enrolled in full-time journalism classes at my local community college. In my first semester, I was granted a fellowship and worked as the opinion editor on the college paper. The following semester, I served as news editor, and I am now the managing editor. It has been transformative to report on local events and witness first-hand the impact and ethical responsibility of my new chosen career.

It is an exciting time to join the industry with shifts in political activism and the drastic changes in how audiences consume information. In my year and a half in the field, I have already addressed serious challenges facing students, educators and workers across California. I have reported on freedom of speech in educational institutions after waves of protests and community activism. I have also investigated how a funding formula is changing California community colleges and even disproportionate influence in utility regulation. Of course, these reports have come with the usual news coverage of ballot measures, vandalism, workers' strikes and board meetings.