The AI Journalism Labs at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, created in partnership with Microsoft, is thrilled to introduce the next cohort of the program — the AI Journalism Lab: Leadership. This exceptional group of 23 journalists, strategists, and executives from across the globe will explore what newsroom leadership looks like in the age of artificial intelligence, and learn to navigate AI in ethical ways.
“Our participants are trailblazers at the intersection of journalism and technology,” said Marie Gilot, Executive Director of J+ at the Newmark J-School. “By fostering leadership grounded in ethics, innovation, and community impact, this program is equipping them to navigate the complexities of AI while inspiring positive change in the media industry.”
The cohort members hail from across the globe — including Brazil, Germany, India, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Their professional expertise spans newsroom leadership, editorial strategy, audience engagement, and product development.
“With AI rapidly transforming the media landscape, the need for thoughtful, visionary leadership has never been greater,” said Noreen Gillespie, Journalism Director at Microsoft’s Democracy Forward. “This program offers participants the tools and frameworks they need to shape the future of journalism with innovation and integrity.”
The Lab will run from January 10 to April 3, 2025. The program is virtual except for an in-person kick-off at the Newmark J-School in New York from January 10-11.
AI JOURNALISM LAB: LEADERSHIP COHORT
Ernesto Aguilar
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: San Francisco, California, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: KQED
Role: Executive Director, Radio Programming and Content DEI Initiatives
Born in East Houston, Ernesto Aguilar’s life was transformed by public media. His career has traversed daily newspapers and alternative weeklies to public radio news and program director roles. At KQED, he oversees radio broadcast content and DEI initiatives in the organization’s Content division. He is former co-chair of the KQED DEI Council. In his spare time, he writes OIGO, a newsletter on public media and diverse audiences. Prior to KQED, Aguilar served stations as executive director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. He was also part of the founding committee of Public Media for All, an initiative aimed at organizing radio stations around actionable DEI outcomes. Aguilar is also a Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education Fellow, Sulzberger Executive Leadership Fellow and Public Media CEO/COO Bootcamp graduate.
Rachael Akidi Okwir
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Nairobi, Kenya
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Organization: Reebo Consult
Role: Senior Media Consultant & Strategic Advisor
Rachael is a senior editorial and media leader with substantial experience covering Africa. In a career spanning more than twenty years, she has performed nearly every editorial role in the newsroom, from journalist to head of journalism for Africa at the BBC. Rachael has led major media transformation projects, from restructuring, to developing and launching new media products, including linear and digital platforms in multiple African languages. As the BBC’s head of journalism for Africa, she managed award-winning teams, and led the development of a digital first strategy for the continent. As head of East Africa, she led the expansion of the BBC in the region, and transformed a small bureau in Nairobi into the BBC’s largest office outside of the UK. She also launched three new multimedia language services for the Horn of Africa region. Rachael is currently a senior media consultant and strategic advisor with Reebo Consult, a company she founded. She has provided strategic media advice and editorial training to journalism students, editors and media executives in both Africa and the UK. She is also a Trustee for Medical Aid Films, a UK based charity, that uses film and innovative media to empower health workers and communities. Rachael is passionate about engaging young audiences, and the intersection of journalism and AI, and has delivered several keynote speeches on the future of journalism in the digital age.
Lina Al-Ejeilat
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Amman, Jordan
Country of origin: Jordan
Organization: 7iber
Role: Executive Editor
Lina Ejeilat is the executive editor of 7iber.com. She co-founded the website in 2007 as a blog, and helped transform it into a professional online magazine that produces in-depth multimedia journalism and critical analysis and commentary on Jordan and the Arab region. Alongside its hard-hitting journalism and knowledge production, 7iber has organized training programs and has held public discussion events on a wide range of political, intellectual, and public policy issues. In 2023, Lina won WAN-IFRA’s Women in News Editorial Leadership Award as the laureate for the Arab region. In addition to her work at 7iber, Lina teaches Reporting and Writing and Data Journalism to MA students at the Jordan Media Institute since 2010, and leads training workshops in Jordan and the region. She got her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Jordan, and her Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University in New York.
Luciana Cardoso
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: São Paulo, Brazil
Country of origin: Brazil
Organization: Vibra Digital
Role: Product and Data Director
Luciana began her career at IBM in Project Management for Latin America and later became a CPO at Estadão Newspaper in Brazil, leading the company’s digital transformation. Then she joined Quartz as a Senior Product Manager, achieving significant results such as increasing readership and creating a successful podcast. Currently, she is the Director of Product and Data at Grupo Bandeirantes in Brazil and Vice President of the Executive Board at News Product Alliance.
Emma Carew Grovum
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: The Marshall Project
Role: Director of Careers and Culture
Emma Carew Grovum is the director of careers and culture at The Marshall Project and also the founder of Kimbap Media, a consultancy solving problems at the intersection of journalism, technology, and the audience. She is a co-founder and regular contributor to the News Product Alliance.
Lindsey Christ
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: New York, New York, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: Spectrum News
Role: Head of Standards and Practices
Lindsey Christ is responsible for editorial standards and ethical oversight for Spectrum News’ 30+ 24/7 local news stations, plus a national news network, across multiple platforms, including television, streaming, digital, audio, and social. She also chairs the News Standards Committee comprised of editorial leaders across the country. She is a 2024-25 member of the RTDNA Ethics Committee. She has previously held several leadership roles at Spectrum News, including in editorial strategy and as managing director of the digital teams across the northeast. For nearly a decade, Christ (rhymes with wrist) was Spectrum News NY1’s education reporter. She has won numerous awards for her journalism, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, the top prize for overall reporting from the NY Associated Press Broadcasters Association and multiple national Education Writers Association awards. She has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, including one for her overall reporting throughout 2018, her last year as a reporter.
Anthony Esguerra
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: Washington, D.C. United States
Country of origin: Philippines
Organization: BenarNews
Role: Head of Audience Engagement
Anthony Esguerra is passionate about connecting newsrooms with their audiences and exploring ways to deliver journalism that resonates with people. He is the Head of Audience Engagement at BenarNews, a non-profit newsroom covering Southeast Asia, where he leads audience strategies across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Previously, Anthony was a Southeast Asia reporter for VICE and VICE World News, producing investigative and in-depth reporting on the dynamic region. He also worked as a stringer for Voice of America and as a field reporter for GMA, the largest broadcaster in the Philippines. Earlier in his career, he was a multimedia reporter for INQUIRER.net. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to earn a master’s degree in journalism innovation from New York University, where he focused on audience and news products.
Elisabeth Gamperl
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Munich, Germany
Country of origin: Austria
Organization: Sueddeutsche Zeitung
Role: Managing Editor of AI and Product
Elisabeth Gamperl is the Managing Editor for AI and Product at Süddeutsche Zeitung in Munich. This year, her work has centered on exploring the possibilities of AI, culminating in projects such as a chatbot for the European elections that addressed key questions about party manifestos, as well as an interactive year-in-review feature. With a deep passion for digital storytelling, Elisabeth spent several years in the Innovation Lab, working in an interdisciplinary team of journalists, developers, and designers. Together, they crafted visually engaging digital stories and innovative narrative formats. She was responsible for the digital implementation of major investigative projects, including the Ibiza Files and the Panama Papers. In 2021, Elisabeth was a Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in Oxford, where she explored the use of newsroom metrics to effectively support journalistic work.
Reina Kempt
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: Gannett Center for Community Journalism
Role: Assistant Managing Editor/National Data Automation and Newsletter Editor
Reina Kempt is a veteran newsroom leader who oversees several AI projects for the Center of Community Journalism. She has her master’s in communications from the University of Hartford and her bachelor’s in journalism from Louisiana Tech where she also played basketball, and she’s passionate about saving local news. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA, she’s a southern girl who enjoys cooking, spending time with her wife and daughter and thrift shopping.
Aaqib Khan
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: New Delhi, India
Country of origin: India
Organization: NDTV
Role: Deputy Editor – Content Innovation
Aaqib Raza Khan is a digital storytelling enthusiast and currently working as the Deputy Editor for Content Innovation at NDTV – one of India’s largest, and oldest, news networks. With over a decade of experience in journalism, branded content, multimedia projects, and creative strategies, he thrives on building engaging experiences. He is passionate about experimenting with generative AI to develop unique narratives and streamline workflows. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English literature, and a Master’s in Journalism. For his projects, he combines editorial expertise with UI/UX insights, and AI (of course) to create impactful content that resonates across platforms and demographics.
Kathryn Kotze
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Cape Town, South Africa
Country of origin: South Africa
Organization: Daily Maverick
Role: Head of Operations
Kathryn Kotze is the Head of Operations at Daily Maverick, an award-winning independent South African news publication known for its in-depth analysis of current affairs, politics, business and culture. Kathryn has over 15 years of experience in project and operations management. In her time at Daily Maverick, she has worked across multiple projects and departments, from commercial and grant revenue to project managing the launch of new products and editorial desks. She is passionate about media strategy and sustainability and aims to implement systems that make teams more effective at achieving their purpose and feeling fulfilled.
Aisling McCabe
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Ireland
Country of origin: Ireland
Organization: The Irish Times Group
Role: Strategy and Business Development Director
Aisling has over 20 years’ experience across Strategy, Partnerships, Business Development, Stakeholder Management, Transformation and Innovation in the media/technology sector. She loves media and working on the intersection between media and emerging markets, leading teams and collaborating with partners to develop new initiatives and new market opportunities. She is passionate about the opportunity for media to engage with audiences and enrich their minds and enhance their lives and I believe technology plays a huge role in this. She loves learning and has done a number of executive development courses in Europe and the US and is a qualified Executive Coach. In my spare time she enjoys spending time with my family, playing tennis and sometimes cold sea swimming.
Ayan Mittra
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: Austin, Texas, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: The Texas Tribune
Role: Senior Managing Editor, Local News
Ayan Mittra is the senior managing editor for local news at The Texas Tribune. He serves as the editorial lead for the Tribune’s effort to launch a network of community newsrooms and engage more Texans with reliable local information. Ayan joined the Tribune in 2012 and has played a key role in newsroom leadership ever since. During his tenure, the Tribune has earned prestigious accolades, including a Peabody Award, multiple national Online Journalism Awards, and several Edward R. Murrow Awards. With a deep commitment to quality journalism and innovation, Ayan has overseen impactful coverage of Texas politics, government and policy. He also helped create the Tribune’s joint investigative team with ProPublica and the Tribune’s regional reporting team. Before joining the Tribune, Ayan worked for 11 years at The Dallas Morning News. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Alba Mora Roca
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Girona, Spain
Country of origin: Spain
Organization: AJ+
Role: Executive Producer
Alba Mora Roca is the Executive Producer at AJ+ Español, where she leads a team of 27 video creators mastering the art of making news that matter go viral faster than cat videos. With extensive experience in digital storytelling, she is passionate about innovation and pushing the boundaries of digital journalism. She previously headed the digital video operation for El País America and, before that, crafted interactive content for The Associated Press. Her journalism career has taken her across the globe, yet she remains grounded in her passion for trekking and snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea.
Abideen Olasupo
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: Ilorin, Nigeria
Country of origin: Nigeria
Organization: FactCheckAfrica
Role: Founder
Abideen Olasupo is a visionary leader and development practitioner at the forefront of AI-driven journalism, democracy and civic advocacy in Africa. As the Convener of FactCheckAfrica, an independent fact-checking platform, and CEO of MyAIFactChecker—the continent’s first AI-powered fact-checking tool(translated to local languages)—Abideen leverages cutting-edge technology to tackle misinformation and foster digital literacy. His work embodies a commitment to transforming journalism by integrating artificial intelligence to ensure accuracy, equity, and inclusivity in media narratives. Abideen has a proven track record of leading innovative programs, including the development of Nigeria’s first Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for tertiary institutions and implementing AI solutions to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons. He also championed Africa’s first AI Journalism Fellowship, training over 41 newsroom journalists, editors, and academicians to harness AI for improved media practices, AI accountability and ethics,AI literacy, AI for Investigative reporting, data analysis and critical reporting. Through his leadership at Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, he has reached over 10,000 individuals with grassroots initiatives addressing misinformation, electoral transparency, and media ethics. A dedicated advocate for inclusive technology, Abideen has taken courses at both Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School in recent. The impact of his work earned him recognition from international and local organizations.
Michael Olson
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: St Paul, Minnesota, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: MPR News
Role: Deputy Managing Editor, Digital
Michael Olson is a seasoned digital media leader with a strong background in audience development and innovative storytelling. During his tenure at Minnesota Public Radio News, Michael led a comprehensive digital transformation, driving record-high audience engagement and satisfaction. His strategic leadership during major events, such as George Floyd’s murder and the COVID-19 pandemic, showcased his ability to deliver impactful journalism while fostering community connection. Michael’s career includes key roles at NPR and KUT News, where he championed sustainable journalism, multimedia storytelling, and collaborative models now central to public media. His work has earned numerous accolades, including awards for digital innovation, breaking news coverage, and audience engagement. Outside of work, Michael enjoys DJing and playing music with friends. He treasures time spent with his family in Minnesota’s woods or at the lake, where he finds inspiration and connection to nature.
Katarzyna Rainone
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Country of origin: Poland
Organization: NBCUniversal Local
Role: Senior Manager of Audience Retention
Cathy Rainone is the Senior Manager of Audience Retention at NBCUniversal Local, where she drives the growth and retention strategies for mobile apps and newsletters across more than 40 NBC and Telemundo stations and Regional Sports Networks. She started her career at NBCU Local in 2012 as a News Editor, later becoming a Digital Operations Manager. Before she joined NBC, Cathy was a freelance video producer and reporter at BRIC TV, a non-profit community channel in Brooklyn, and a writer at the Office of Communications & Marketing at the City University of New York (CUNY). Cathy was born in Poland and moved to the U.S. when she was 17. She is a proud graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Cathy enjoys cooking, trying out new baking recipes, and reading historical novels in Polish and English.
Martin Schori
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: Stockholm, Sweden
Country of origin: Sweden
Organization: Aftonbladet
Role: Director of Editorial AI & Innovation
Martin Schori is the Director of Editorial AI & Innovation and Deputy Publisher at Aftonbladet, Sweden’s largest daily newspaper. His role blends strategy and creativity to drive the integration of AI in journalism, improving storytelling, engaging diverse audiences, and enhancing editorial decision-making. As a columnist, he focuses on topics such as media, ethics, and technology. He has authored two books, including Online Only: Everything You Need to Know to Become Tomorrow’s Journalist, which is used as teaching material in Swedish university programs. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Media Ethics Council, overseeing Sweden’s media ethics system. His career at Aftonbladet includes previous roles as News Editor, Foreign Editor, and Online Editor. He has studied at Adelphi University in New York. Outside of work, Martin is a father, an avid boxer, and a lifelong supporter of the football club Djurgårdens IF.
Jan Schüßler
Pronouns: he/him
Current location: Mainz, Germany
Country of origin: Germany
Organization: ZDF
Role: AI Representative
Jan Schüßler is currently working as an AI officer in the editorial department of ZDF, a national public broadcaster in Germany. He also previously worked at ZDF for a long time as an editor and reporter in the news department and was deputy program director of funk – the content network of ARD and ZDF for a young target group.
Thomas Seymat
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: France
Country of origin: France
Organization: ARTE
Role: Head of Innovation and Digital for News
Thomas Seymat is Head of Innovation and Digital for News at ARTE, where he also serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Based in France, Thomas leads ARTE Info’s digital and social media strategy, drives the development of innovative formats across languages and platforms, and guides the newsroom’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. With more than a decade of experience in digital journalism, Thomas has successfully implemented pioneering projects in multilingual and international media environments. A former Reynolds Journalism Institute fellow at the Missouri School of Journalism, he is also an in-demand speaker, a committed mentor, and an educator, regularly teaching media and journalism at leading journalism schools.
Vitor Sorano
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: São Paulo, Brazil
Country of origin: Brazil
Organization: g1
Role: Head of AI Initiatives
Vitor has over 18 years of experience in journalism, having held roles from reporter to coordinator. He has covered topics ranging from public safety and education to the eurozone crisis and local governance in Brazil. His impactful work includes investigative reports that led to a minister’s resignation and the arrest of election candidates, as well as award-winning data projects like Brazil’s COVID-19 monitoring of deaths and cases. A leader in newsroom innovation, Vitor spearheaded the creation of g1’s breaking news and AI initiatives desks. Currently, he leads transformative projects integrating AI into journalism, enhancing efficiency across production and distribution. He oversees a cross-platform team implementing AI solutions.
Mael Vallejo
Pronouns: He/him
Current location: Mexico City, Mexico
Country of origin: Mexico
Organization: Capital Digital
Role: VP of Content
Mael Vallejo is a Mexican journalist and editor-in-chief. He is currently VP of content at Capital Digital (media holding in Mexico) and columnist at Milenio newspaper. He has been editor-in-chief and deputy editor of media outlets like Post Opinión (Spanish Opinions section of The Washington Post), Esquire Latinoamérica, Animal Político, El Universal and others. Coordinator of the book “Colapso México” (Penguin Random House, 2022). Winner of the National Journalism Prize of Mexico in 2016. Coordinator and professor in various diploma courses in journalism and non-fiction.
Paige Wulff
Pronouns: She/her
Current location: New York, New York, United States
Country of origin: United States
Organization: Manager, Strategic Initiatives
Role: Dow Jones
Paige Wulff works in strategic initiatives at Dow Jones, the parent company of The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, Factiva, Barron’s, and MarketWatch. In her role, she supports the Office of the CEO on cross-functional initiatives. Before joining Dow Jones, Paige led a data visualization and policy research team at National Journal in Washington, DC. During her time there, she spearheaded the development of a twice-monthly intelligence report called PolicyView: AI which gives a comprehensive federal, state, and local view of AI legislation and regulation. Throughout her career, Paige has held a passion for using data and technology to drive effective storytelling and enhance operational efficiencies. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Paige holds a degree in Political Economy from Tulane University. She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and spends her free time in the pottery studio or enjoying NYC parks.