Hiya - I’m originally from Minneapolis, and at fifteen I moved to California - I’ve called it home ever since. I’m a movie and history buff, and extremely competitive with myself at Jeopardy. Amateur photography and creative writing are my passions, alongside obsessions like a positive KD in FPS games.

In 2016 I graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science, specializing in international affairs. I focused on US-Sino relations and wrote an award-winning thesis examining the ‘pivot to Asia’ in light of American foreign policy’s history.

Before turning to journalism, I worked in government affairs, immigration law, a congressional watchdog, an unsuccessful stint on the Hill and in communications in the energy industry. I even drove Lyft - not the best choice for someone who gets easily tired driving long hours.

In May 2023 I received my master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. I graduated in the top five of my class and the faculty awarded me a Pulitzer Travelling Fellowship. That project, due in 2025, covers Native American sovereignty issues in the Midwest.

After graduation I completed a six-month internship with Honolulu Civil Beat, where I largely covered the Maui wildfire. That included breaking news coverage and later a follow-the-money series which scrutinized over $500 million that flooded into the state - and notably several scams. My reporting led to a new law mandating nonprofits and fundraisers register with the state’s charity oversight division in the event of a disaster. We were later finalists for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Reporting.

You can reach me at ask2292 at columbia dot edu.