Global Team

Who we are

Global Press team members are reporters, editors, educators and international development professionals. Together, we are driving extraordinary change in the field of journalism.

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Reporters

Professional.
Local.
Female.

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Global Press reporters are powerful storytellers, transforming local access to accurate information and elevating global awareness for millions of readers.

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Reporter Spotlight

Global Press employs a global team of powerful, professional reporters. The average Global Press reporter stays employed here for more than five years. We offer each reporter strong salaries, health benefits, family leave, consistent professional development and access to our industry-leading Duty of Care program. Here are a few of our all-stars: 

UGANDA

Edna Namara

Edna Namara is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Kampala, Uganda. She specializes in reporting about power and bodily autonomy. Born and raised in the Kabale district of western Uganda, Edna was a secondary-school teacher prior to becoming a journalist.

Mexico

Mar Garcia

Mar García is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Mexico City. She specializes in reporting stories that transform rote narratives about Mexican art and society.

Zimbabwe

Gamuchirai Masiyiwa

Gamuchirai Masiyiwa is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Harare, Zimbabwe. She is an internationally acclaimed economy and education reporter. Born and raised in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Gamuchirai holds a diploma in journalism and mass communication and a bachelor’s degree with honors in political science. Her 2019 coverage of currencies introduced in Zimbabwe over the last decade, presented in comic form, won a Clarion Award for best feature journalism. When she’s not reporting, Gamu spends her time touring ancient ruins throughout Zimbabwe.

mongolia

Odonchimeg Batsukh

Odonchimeg Batsukh is the only epidemiologist at the largest hospital in Mongolia’s Arkhangai province. She  joined Global Press in 2018 to pursue her childhood dream of being a journalist. She specializes in covering cultural preservation in Mongolia.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Merveille Kavira Luneghe

Merveille Kavira Luneghe is a Global Press Journal reporter based in Kirumba, Democratic Republic of Congo. Merveille specializes in migration and human rights reporting. Her 2019 coverage of the ongoing refugee crisis in DRC, “I Will Not Leave This Place,” is the most award-winning story in Global Press history. She won a Clarion Award for best feature journalism, was shortlisted for the One World Media Refugee Reporting Award and received an Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design.

Key Global Staff
Click each image to learn more about our team.

Cristi Hegranes

Chief Executive Officer & Publisher

Cristi Hegranes

Title:
Chief Executive Officer & Publisher
Day-to-day:
I lead business and development operations at Global Press and serve as the publisher of Global Press Journal, our multi lingual, award-winning publication. I created Global Press' industry-leading Duty of Care program for local journalists in challenging global markets using a holistic combination of physical, emotional, digital and legal security. And I built the Global Press Wellness Network to support the mental health needs of our local journalists across the world. I am the lead author of the Global Press Style Guide, which exists to promote dignity and precision in international journalism. My greatest passion is creating world-class employment for badass women across the globe.
Work history:
Reporter, Village Voice Media Freelance journalist Adjunct Professor, California State University, San Francisco State University
Education:
Master of Science in Journalism - New York University | Bachelor of Arts in Communications - Loyola Marymount University
Notable Accomplishments
GLG Social Impact Fellow, Women-run Workplace of the Year, Inc. Magazine Best Places to Work, Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University, Distinguished Young Alumni of New York University, Ashoka Fellow, Society of Professional Journalists' Journalism Innovation Prize, Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Ida B. Wells Award for Bravery in Journalism

Laxmi Parthasarathy

Chief Operating Officer

Laxmi Parthasarathy

Title:
Chief Operating Officer
Day-to-day:
I lead global operations across each Global Press division, spearhead the global expansion strategy to build representative news bureaus and develop new partnership strategies to bolster the organization’s reach and long-term sustainability. I also lead business development at Global Press News Services, the B2B division of Global Press, to earn revenue and spark adoption of our values.
Work history:
Ashoka: Innovators for the Public; Canadian International Development Agency; Media for Development Ltd
Education:
Master of Science in Media, Communications, Development - London School of Economics; Bachelor of Arts - Carleton University
Notable Accomplishments
2021 Book Chapter in "Kamala Harris and The Rise of Indian Americans"; 2020 American Express Next Generation Finalist; Women-led Business of the Year, Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Mentor; 2018 Author of the study "The Bottom Up Media Revolution"; Boehm Media Fellow

Katie Myrick

Creative Director

Katie Myrick

Title:
Creative Director
Day-to-day:
I bring beauty to the Global Press brand, leading all aspects of visual identity and user experience to ensure readers are able to see the world differently.
Work history:
Washington Post; Minneapolis Star Tribune; Omaha World-Herald
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - Indiana University
Notable Accomplishments
2019 Boehm Media Fellow; 2009 Poynter Fellow; multiple gold medals from the Society for News Design

Jessica Meyers

Editor-in-Chief

Jessica Meyers

Title:
Editor-in-Chief
Day-to-day:
I lead Global Press Journal, working with dozens of reporters and editors around the world to produce accurate, consequential journalism.
Work history:
Los Angeles Times; The Boston Globe; Politico; Dallas Morning News
Education:
Master of Journalism - University of California, Berkeley; Bachelor of Arts in English and History - Goshen College
Notable Accomplishments
2021 Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Media; Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Heroes of the Year at the Stevie Awards; Published pieces for The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, the Journal of Asian American Studies, BBC and other major outlets

Terry Aguayo

Standards Editor

Terry Aguayo

Title:
Standards Editor
Day-to-day:
I manage the Global Press Accuracy Network and ensure all Global Press Journal stories are conceptually strong and properly sourced.
Work history:
New York Times; Associated Press
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Journalism - Florida International University; Certification in Translation Studies - Florida International University
Notable Accomplishments
Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Heroes of the Year at the Stevie Awards, 2007-2008 Research Assistant for A Journal for Jordan (releasing as a movie on December 10, 2021); 2007 Mentor, The New York Times Student Journalism Institute

Sasha Belenky

Editor

Sasha Belenky

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I collaborate with reporters around the globe to develop pitches and edit articles.
Work history:
Type Investigations; The New Republic; HuffPost
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in History - Columbia University
Notable Accomplishments
2003-2004 Fulbright Fellowship (Berlin, Germany)

Stephen Buckley

Editor

Stephen Buckley

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I coach – and collaborate with – reporters and editors to help them craft stories that are smart, illuminating and engaging.
Work history:
Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications; Poynter Institute for Media Studies; The Washington Post
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Duke University
Notable Accomplishments
Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Heroes of the Year at the Stevie Awards, 2002 Paul Hansell Distinguished Journalism Award as Florida’s best newspaper reporter; 1999 International Reporting Award from the National Association of Black Journalists for Africa coverage; 1997 InterAction Award for Humanitarian Reporting; four-time Pulitzer Prize juror

Sara Catania

Editor

Sara Catania

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I edit Global Press Journal stories from around the world.
Work history:
Reuters; NBC; Los Angeles Times
Education:
Master of Journalism - University of California, Berkeley; Bachelor of Arts in Philosoph - St Johns College
Notable Accomplishments
Adjunct Journalism Professor, University of Southern California; Online News Association Women's Leadership Accelerator Mentor; 2004 John S. Knight Journalism Fellow, Stanford University

Sia Choi

Assistant Photo Editor

Sia Choi

Title:
Assistant Photo Editor
Day-to-day:
I archive all Global Press Journal photos and correspond with the Senior Photo Editor and reporters in order to publish stories and feature photos.
Work history:
Began her professional career at Global Press Journal as a photo intern.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism - Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (In Progress)
Notable Accomplishments
Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Hero of the Year at the Stevie Awards, 2019-2020 Korean Government Global Internship Program (WEST) Participant; 2018 Photography Assistant Volunteer, PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Matt Haney

Graphics Editor

Matt Haney

Title:
Graphics Editor
Day-to-day:
I create strong visuals to draw readers into Global Press Journal stories.
Work history:
Omaha World-Herald; Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; The Lincoln Journal Star
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Painting - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Notable Accomplishments
Multiple gold and silver medals from the Society for News Design

Bennett Hanson

Researcher

Bennett Hanson

Title:
Researcher
Day-to-day:
I sift through and decipher open-source research to answer the hard questions, track ongoing trends and to add accurate and compelling information to Global Press Journal stories.
Work history:
Bridge International Academies; Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science - Western Washington University
Notable Accomplishments
Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Hero of the Year at the Stevie Awards, Contributed research to three award-winning Global Press Journal articles; 2019 open-source research training by Bellingcat; 2015 Passed the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Officer Test (2015)

Preeti Jha

Editor

Preeti Jha

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I edit stories and provide feedback to Global Press Journal reporters around the globe.
Work history:
BBC; Agence France-Presse (AFP); The Indian Express
Education:
Master of Science in Social Anthropology - University of Oxford; Bachelor of Science in Medical Anthropology and Basic Medical Sciences - University College London (UCL)
Notable Accomplishments
2021 & 2018 long-listed for One World Media Award; Merit as part of an Agence France-Presse team from Human Rights Press Awards; 2009 The Guardian's International Development Journalism Award

Renata Johnson

Web Editor

Renata Johnson

Title:
Web Editor
Day-to-day:
I conceptualize and manage engaging content on all affiliated social media accounts.
Work history:
International Center for Journalists; Wilson Center; Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Illinois
Education:
Master of Arts in Journalism, Minor in International Development - University of Missouri; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Editorial News - University of Missouri
Notable Accomplishments
Member, Kappa Tau Alpha; Member, National Honor Society in Journalism

Charlotte Kesl

Senior Photo Editor

Charlotte Kesl

Title:
Senior Photo Editor
Day-to-day:
Collaborate and coach reporters to ensure every story has impactful visuals
Work history:
Independent photojournalist for news outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post; Adjunct lecturer in photojournalism at The University of Florida
Education:
Master of Science in Media, Communication & Development - London School of Economics; Bachelor of Arts in Visual Media - American University
Notable Accomplishments
Photographed for nonprofit organizations in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Colombia & Perú; Organized and led international and domestic photography workshops; Helped launch Project Cordillera, a social enterprise that partners with local adventure tourism companies in Latin America

Ndinda Kioko

Editor

Ndinda Kioko

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I edit stories for Global Press Journal reporters, producing accurate and ethical news.
Work history:
Colgate University; Network for Empowered Aid Response; Storylab Limited
Education:
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing - University of Oregon; Bachelor of Education in English and Literature - Kenyatta University
Notable Accomplishments
2018 Olive B O'Connor Fellowship; 2018 Black Warrior Review Writing Prize; 2017 Queen Mary Wasafiri Writing Prize; 2014 Miles Morland Writing Scholarship

Emily Neil

Editor

Emily Neil

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I edit stories alongside Global Press Journal's amazing reporters.
Work history:
AL DÍA News; Asociación SERES
Education:
Master of Science in Journalism - Columbia University; Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies - Barnard College of Columbia University
Notable Accomplishments
2016 Critical Language Scholarship Recipient; 2016 Student of the Year, Member of the Society of Professional Journalists chapter at Columbia Journalism School

Nicole Neroulias Gupte

Editor

Nicole Neroulias Gupte

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I edit Global Press Journal's stories to ensure they are compelling and newsworthy.
Work history:
Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University; Days for Girls International; Reuters
Education:
Master of Science in Journalism - Columbia University; Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Cornell University
Notable Accomplishments
2021-Present: Vice President, Board of Governors, American Embassy School (India); 2017-2020: Chair, Managing Board, Religion News Service; 2016-2021: Executive Committee, Emerald City Toastmasters; 2018: Contestant on "Jeopardy!"

Sam Nesfield

Program Manager

Sam Nesfield

Title:
Program Manager
Day-to-day:
I lead global expansion operations and support global partnership building.
Work history:
Thomson Reuters Court Express; National Museum for American History; Genesis: Sarajevo
Education:
Master of Arts in Global Communication - George Washington University; Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs - George Washington University
Notable Accomplishments
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Edwin Okong'o

Editor

Edwin Okong'o

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
I work with Global Press Journal reporters – from pitching to editing – to ensure publication of high-quality journalism.
Work history:
Mshale News; KALW 91.7 FM; PBS Frontline/WORLD
Education:
Master of Journalism - University of California, Berkeley; Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication - California State University, Hayward
Notable Accomplishments
2009 The People’s Voice Award, Webby Awards; 2008 Best of the Twin Cities, Best Journalist, Minnesota Monthly; 2007, Mark of Excellence Award, Society of Professional Journalists

Michal Petros

Development Associate

Michal Petros

Title:
Development Associate
Day-to-day:
I support Global Press development efforts to maximize brand and growth opportunities.
Work history:
Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative; DAI; Search for Common Ground
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations - American University
Notable Accomplishments
2019-2020 Princeton in Africa Fellow; 2018 American Foreign Service Association Scholarship; 2017 American University Abroad Semester Grant (Nairobi, Kenya)

Ashley Powers

Editor

Ashley Powers

Title:
Editor
Day-to-day:
Editor
Work history:
Los Angeles Times
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - University of Toledo
Notable Accomplishments
2020 The Best American Travel Writing; 2017 New York University's Reporting Award; Sigma Delta Chi Award; National Headliner Award; honors from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Education Writers Association, the Religion Newswriters Association and the Society for Features Journalism

Caitlin Salins

Global Operations Administrator

Caitlin Salins

Title:
Global Operations Administrator
Day-to-day:
I build and coordinate systems to support global HR, finance, and operations for our reporters, Global Press Accuracy Network staff, and HQ team.
Work history:
Bringing Theory to Practice
Education:
Master of Arts in Learning, Design and Technology - Georgetown University; Master of Library Science - University of Maryland; Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages and Literatures - University of Maryland
Notable Accomplishments
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Manori Wijesekera

Training Manager

Manori Wijesekera

Title:
Training Manager
Day-to-day:
I oversee professional development programs for reporters and am the lead creator of the Global Press Institute virtual learning platform.
Work history:
TVE Asia Pacific; The Sunday Times Newspaper; The Island Newspaper
Education:
General Certificate of Education (Sri Lankan Advanced Level) - Visakha Vidyalaya
Notable Accomplishments
Member of Global Press editorial team named 2020 Media Heroes of the Year at the Stevie Awards

global press accuracy network

Fact checkers.
Translators.
Copy editors.
Illustrators.

This dedicated team of accuracy professionals ensures that every Global Press story is dignified and precise. A team is assigned to every story to ensure accuracy in English and the local language.

Global press Board of directors

At Global Press, governance is a top priority. Our board is made up of experts across media, law, finance, and wellness who are dedicated to ensuring Global Press continues to thrive.

Anne Avis

Global Press Board Co-Chair

Umbreen Bhatti

Director, Athena Center for Leadership at Barnard College

Cristi Hegranes

Founder and CEO of Global Press, Publisher of Global Press Journal

Emily Kaiser

Associate Director of the Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship

Benjamin McKee

Vice President of Finance, Atlantic Media, Global Press Board Treasurer

Dr. Geetha Murali

CEO, Room to Read

Linda Shostak

Global Press Board Secretary

Michelle Swenson

Global Press Board Co-Chair

George Woods

President, International Academy of Law and Mental Health

Keith Woods

Chief Diversity Officer, NPR

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