Appearances
Public Media Journalists Association
Part of the Near + Now Training Series
Whether it's a natural disaster, political unrest, or an outbreak of violence, when an emergency hits your community, news leaders often don't have time to figure out who's covering what. Disasters can overwhelm even a well-staffed newsroom, and for smaller and rural stations, the stakes are even higher. This training session walked through building an editorial workflow plan before it is needed.
August 19, 2026
Online News Association Conference 2026
Panel: Leading Through Crisis: Newsroom Resilience When It Matters Most
When a crisis strikes, whether through extreme weather disaster, civil unrest, or aggressive law enforcement tactics, newsrooms must report urgently while protecting their teams and keeping their communities informed. This conversation explored how mission-driven newsrooms prepare for high-risk coverage, safeguard staff in volatile environments, adapt publishing tools when infrastructure fails, and build resilient systems that strengthen public trust long before a crisis hits.
Presented by The MacArthur Foundation. Moderated by MacArthur Foundation Program Officer Liliana Velázquez. Other panelists included Jen Sabella of Block Club Chicago and Erika Carlos of El Tecolote.
March 31, 2026
Online News Association Women’s Leadership Accelerator 2026
“How to Negotiate Like a Boss”
The ONA Women’s Leadership Accelerator is a selective and intensive program of mentoring, programming and discussion from of the top minds in the world of digital media.
In this session, developed by Laura, participants gained an understanding the nuances of negotiation. They also developed practical tools for overcoming challenges and building an effective negotiation style.
March 29, 2026
North Carolina Network of Grantmakers Annual Conference
Keynote Address: Building trust in tough times: Lessons from the news and information providers
We often think of community support in terms of tangible resources - food, money and health care - but in the modern landscape, news and information are some of the most valuable commodities for healthy and vibrant communities. Understanding how news and information is accessed, as well as what makes something reliable and trustworthy, enables grantmakers to leverage resources in the media landscape to better serve constituencies.
March 4, 2026
WUNC’s Due South
“How habeas corpus has played a role in North Carolinians being released from ICE detention”
Following the immigration enforcement actions in North Carolina in the fall, attorneys are having to adjust how they help clients facing detention and deportation. A conversation with host Jeff Tiberii about how habeas corpus plays a role in North Carolinians being released from ICE detention. Listen here.
January 28, 2026
Press Forward Summit, Charlotte
“Beyond Breaking News: Sustaining Coverage in Crisis”
When disasters strike—hurricanes, wildfires, floods, or other emergencies—local news organizations are on the front lines, providing critical information. But what happens after the immediate crisis passes? This panel discussed how newsrooms adapted and collaborated to ensure communities remain informed through long-term recovery efforts.
October 7, 2025
Moderated by Jesus Garcia-Gonzalez. Other panelists included Emily Elena Dugdale of LA Public Press, Adriana Chavela of Hola Carolina and John Wells of The Kerrville Daily Times.
The Heart of the Mountains
Emcee of live journalism event, The Heart of the Mountains: Stories from a year of courage, kindness, and community after Hurricane Helene.
Hosted by NC Local as part of the UNA Post-Helene Symposium.
September 24, 2025.
Online News Association Conference 2025
“Building a Mutual Aid Model for Crisis Coverage”
Resilient communities take care of each other in crisis, making sure need is connected with resources. This interactive session discussed how to build an intentional support network in the face of more and worsening disasters.
September 11, 2025
PMJA Editor of the Year
Acceptance speech for the 2025 Public Media Journalists Association’s Editor of the Year Award.
June 27, 2025
NBC News
“Asheville still struggles after Hurricane Helene as aid drops and funding cuts loom.”
May 22, 2025
BBC News
A live conversation about the effects of threats to public media in rural communities.
May 3, 2025
Moderated by former New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet. Other panelists included Helene Recovery Reporter Jacob Biba of the Asheville Citizen Times, Executive Editor Moss Brennan of Mountain Times Publications, Western North Carolina Reporter Patricia Serrano of Enlace Latino NC and Photojournalist Travis Long of the News & Observer.
NC Local News & Information Summit 2025
Keynote Panel: "A Lifeline for Western North Carolina."
The keynote panel at the NC Local News & Information Summit focused on the experiences of journalists in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The panelists described how their teams overcame obstacles, including damaged infrastructure, to deliver vital information following the state's worst natural disaster.
March 12, 2025
CNN International
One World With Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga
A live conversation about Wisconsin and North Carolina in the final days before the 2024 Election.
October 31, 2024
C-SPAN
Washington Journal With Kimberly Adams
A live conversation about preparations for the November 2024 election in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
October 6, 2024
CNN International
A live conversation about the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
October 3, 2024
Google Pinpoint
Pinpoint is a Google tool that uses AI and Search technologies to allow journalists to cull through large volumes of records of all kinds: emails, contracts, text messages, audio recordings and videos.
I introduced Pinpoint to the BPR news team in summer 2023. Using AI tools freed up our time to do the work that only humans can do.
In winter 2024, Google featured BPR’s work in a video, “Harnessing new technology in local journalism.”
NC Local News Network Training
“Reporting Training: The ‘Big Lie’ and 2022 Election Administration in NC.”
A session to train local and regional reporters on elections administration processes in North Carolina.
August 30, 2022
Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference 2022
“Caregiver Perspective: The Alphabet Soup of Cholangiocarcinoma Caregiving.”
A presentation to an international audience of medical professionals, researchers, patients and families.
February 25, 2022
Healthcare Unfiltered Podcast
“Words Matter: The Patient Perspective of Language Used on Social Media.” A conversation with Dr. Chadi Nabhan about caregiving and language. December 2020.
The State of Things
Protest following the in-custody death of Jesus Huerta.
A conversation with host Frank Stasio about the clash between police and protestors in Durham, NC.
December 20, 2013
In the media
How statewide journalism collaborations can help bridge divides and mobilize crisis responses, A case study of how prepared North Carolina’s news ecosystem was to help during Helene and what they’ve learned. Center for Cooperative Media, March 3, 2025.
How A Western North Carolina Public Radio Station Covered Helene, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, December 11, 2024.
Other speaking engagements
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2025 Public Media Journalists Association Conference
“Covering Breaking News: Super Bowl wins, Mass shootings, Climate disasters.” Panelist. June 26, 2025.
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The 2025 Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit
“News Needs Lawyers.” Hosted by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Press Forward. Keynote discussion. May 21, 2025.
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Reva & David Logan Symposium on Investigative Reporting
“Covering the Trump Administration: Finding the Right Stories in the Fire Hose of News.” Panelist. May 2, 2025
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Report for America and NC Local News Workshop Cohort Training
“Shifting industries in North Carolina.” Panelist for RFA corps member training in North Carolina. September 9, 2024.
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North Carolina Press Association Conference
“Opening Up Journalism: How newsrooms are tapping community knowledge to build relevance and support.” Panelist. February 22, 2018.
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Experiential Media Event: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Event to connect media with community members, start-up founders, academics, and policymakers throughout North Carolina. Panelist. March 22, 2016.
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Leadership Raleigh
Media Day event to teach business leaders about the work of the press. Speaker. February 2016.
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University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment
Presentation to environmental researchers and educators about role of the media. Speaker. March 2015.
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University of North Carolina School of Law Commencement
Graduation ceremonies for Class of 2007. Commencement speaker. May 2007.