We are proud of our team of staff, fellows, interns and contributors who work together to make Wisconsin Watch strong.
Part of our mission at Wisconsin Watch is to train the next generation of journalists and those working in the business of journalism. After team members leave our offices, they move on to jobs in journalism and other fields, where they put the skills they learned at Wisconsin Watch to use by holding the powerful to account, creating innovative ways of engaging with the public, sustaining high-quality journalism, and strengthening our society.
Also, learn more about our Board of Directors.
Wisconsin Watch
George Stanley / Wisconsin Watch
CEO
George Stanley joined Wisconsin Watch as chief executive officer in October 2023. Stanley is president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and past president of the national News Leaders Association. He was the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 2015 to 2022 and managing editor since 1997. In addition, he built and oversaw the extensive in-depth and investigative reporting efforts that resulted in the Journal Sentinel being a Pulitzer Prize finalist 10 times since 2000 and winning three times. Stanley joined the Sentinel in 1989 as a reporter covering statewide issues, including conservation, the environment and natural resources. He grew up in Green Bay, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, started at the Lake Geneva Regional News and also covered the outdoors and conservation for the Wichita Eagle and Ducks Unlimited magazine. More by George Stanley / Wisconsin Watch
Jessica Adams / Wisconsin Watch
Director of partnerships for northeast Wisconsin
Jessica Adams has joined Wisconsin Watch as the director of partnerships for northeast Wisconsin. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, research and partnership development, she will play a key role in expanding Wisconsin Watch’s presence in the Green Bay and Fox Valley regions. Most recently, she served as the director of wellness promotion and violence prevention at St. Norbert College, where she was instrumental in securing partnerships, leading fundraising initiatives and strengthening community connections. Jessica holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University and dual bachelor’s degrees in sociology and peace, conflict and global studies from Northland College. More by Jessica Adams / Wisconsin Watch
Jeff Bauer / Wisconsin Watch
Digital editor and producer
Jeff Bauer joined Wisconsin Watch in August 2023 as a digital editor and producer. Previously he was a digital editor and producer for Madison.com and Lee Enterprises and a copy editor for The Capital Times. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. More by Jeff Bauer / Wisconsin Watch
Richard Brown / Wisconsin Watch
Chief of Growth and Innovation
Richard Brown joined Wisconsin Watch in June 2024 and serves as our Chief Growth and Innovation Officer. A national media consultant who lives in the Milwaukee area, Brown has served as a contract coach for the News Revenue Hub’s Mission-Driven Advertising and Sponsorships Lab. He is a revenue sustainability coach for Local Independent Online News, an Emerging News Leadership coach for The City University of New York (CUNY), a monthly columnist for Editor & Publisher magazine and a contributing writer for Digital Content Next. He has served as senior director of retention for The Daily Beast. Brown held key positions leading digital engagement, sales and retention strategies for Gannett and the USA Today Network, for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and for LPi Liturgical Publications Inc. He is finance chair of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. More by Richard Brown / Wisconsin Watch
Hallie Claflin / Wisconsin Watch
Statehouse reporting intern
Hallie Claflin joined Wisconsin Watch as a statehouse reporting intern in June 2024. She recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in journalism and political science. In Washington, D.C., she created visual news content as an intern at Voice of America. In Wisconsin, she aided in investigations of government, politics and law enforcement as an intern at The Badger Project. She also worked as a local beat reporter, covering race, social justice and education for Madison Commons. She is passionate about political investigations as well as solutions journalism. More by Hallie Claflin / Wisconsin Watch
Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
Investigative reporter
Addie Costello is WPR’s 2024-2025 Mike Simonson Memorial Investigative Reporting Fellow embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Her reporting has been published by Marketplace, USA TODAY, the Austin American-Statesman, public radio stations across Texas and several publications in her home state of Nebraska. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. More by Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch
Statehouse bureau chief
Matthew DeFour started in September 2022 as Wisconsin Watch’s first statehouse bureau chief. Previously at the Wisconsin State Journal he covered state and local government for 16 years, including four years as state politics editor. He has a BSJ and MSJ from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He was honored by his peers as the 2020 Wisconsin Watchdog of the Year. More by Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch
Cecilia Dobbs / Wisconsin Watch
Director of audience and membership
Cecilia Dobbs joined Wisconsin Watch as the director of audience and membership in October 2024. Her experience includes serving as vice president of US product at The Guardian and as director of digital strategy at Fox News, overseeing significant research, product and user experience developments. Recently, her work has focused on nonprofit and community-based participatory research, including roles like research and evaluation officer at Welsh Women’s Aid. More by Cecilia Dobbs / Wisconsin Watch
Lauren Fuhrmann / Wisconsin Watch
Chief revenue officer
Lauren Fuhrmann joined Wisconsin Watch in 2011 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Fuhrmann leads revenue development efforts as well as public engagement initiatives and assists with development of donors and writing of grant reports. Fuhrmann is vice president of the Madison Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She was among five young leaders in the inaugural group of “Future Headliners” honored in 2014 by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. More by Lauren Fuhrmann / Wisconsin Watch
Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch
Investigative reporter
Bennet Goldstein reports on water and agriculture as Wisconsin Watch’s Report for America representative on the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk — a collaborative reporting network across the Basin. Before this, Goldstein was on the breaking news team at the Omaha World-Herald in Nebraska. He has spent most of his career at daily papers in Iowa, including the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. Goldstein’s work has garnered awards, including the Associated Press Media Editors award for an explanatory feature about a police shooting in rural Wisconsin, and an Iowa Newspaper Association award for a series that detailed the impacts of the loss of social safety net programs on Dubuque’s Marshallese community. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. More by Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch
Anna January / Wisconsin Watch
Director of philanthropy
Anna January joined Wisconsin Watch in November 2023 as the director of institutional giving. As the director of philanthropy, she oversees Wisconsin Watch’s institutional and major giving programs. She leads fundraising efforts to cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations and philanthropic organizations to generate sustainable funding to support the newsroom’s mission. She has previously worked in fundraising at PBS Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Division of the Arts, and Madison Children’s Museum. January has a background in philanthropy, arts administration, grants, and community development. She has a master’s degree in art history and communication studies from McGill University, where she also completed a Fulbright Research Scholarship. She is currently serving as president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Madison chapter and serves on the Madison Arts Commission. More by Anna January / Wisconsin Watch
Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch
Statehouse reporter
Jack Kelly joined Wisconsin Watch in August 2023 as a statehouse reporter. He previously was a Wisconsin Watch contributing reporter on judicial and environmental issues and covered the statehouse for the Capital Times. He has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison and a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. More by Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch
Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch
State fact brief reporter
Tom Kertscher joined Wisconsin Watch as a full-time reporter in October 2024. He started as a fact checker in January 2023 and contributes to our collaboration with the The Gigafact Project to fight misinformation online. Kertscher is a former longtime newspaper reporter, including at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He is a contributing writer for Milwaukee Magazine and sports freelancer for The Associated Press. More by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch
Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch
Investigative reporter
Mario Koran joined Wisconsin Watch in July 2021. He was a New York Times local investigations fellow and was a 2021 Knight Wallace fellow at the University of Michigan. Previously, he was a west coast correspondent for the Guardian US and covered education for Voice of San Diego, where he was named 2016 reporter of the year by the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Appeal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and he was a Wisconsin Watch intern in 2013. He holds a BA in Spanish literature and MA in journalism from UW-Madison. More by Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch
Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch
Managing editor
Jim Malewitz joined Wisconsin Watch in 2019 as investigations editor. His role includes editing, managing fellows and interns, facilitating cross-newsroom collaborations and investigative reporting. Jim has worked almost exclusively in nonprofit, public affairs journalism. He most recently reported on the environment for Bridge Magazine in his home state of Michigan, following four years as an energy and investigative reporter for the Texas Tribune. Jim previously covered energy and the environment for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, POLITICO Magazine and newspapers across the country. Jim majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. There, he was a founding staff member of the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he serves on the board of directors. More by Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch
Phoebe Petrovic / Wisconsin Watch
Investigative reporter
Phoebe Petrovic is an investigative reporter on a two-year fellowship with ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network. She previously covered disinformation and democracy at Wisconsin Watch and was a 2022-2023 Law & Justice Journalism Project fellow. As a Report for America corps member from 2019 to 2022, Petrovic reported, produced and hosted “Open and Shut,” a podcast series co-published with Wisconsin Public Radio examining the power of prosecutors. Petrovic previously worked at WPR as a Lee Ester News Fellow, “Reveal” from the Center for Investigative Reporting as an editorial intern and NPR’s “Here & Now” as a temporary producer. Her work has aired nationally on all of NPR’s flagship news magazines. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Yale University. More by Phoebe Petrovic / Wisconsin Watch
Khushboo Rathore / Wisconsin Watch
Roy W. Howard Fellow
Khushboo Rathore graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May with a dual degree in journalism and information science. Her main focus is data journalism, with a specialization in gathering inaccessible data and creating visualizations and websites to show information. She has worked on projects with the Associated Press, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Local News Network and The Frederick News-Post. Her journalism interests include education equity, public policy and public figure accountability. More by Khushboo Rathore / Wisconsin Watch
Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Photojournalist
Joe Timmerman is Wisconsin Watch’s staff photojournalist via Report for America. Previously, he interned at the Indianapolis Star, The Texas Tribune and the Cincinnati Enquirer. A native of Loveland, Ohio, Timmerman graduated from Ohio University in 2023 with dual degrees in visual communication and journalism. His work has been recognized by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the National Press Photographers Foundation, the Ohio News Photographers Association and the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. More by Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Pete Trotter / Wisconsin Watch
Associate director of philanthropy
Pete Trotter joined Wisconsin Watch as the associate director of philanthropy in November 2024. In this role, Pete is involved in expanding charitable revenue, supporting major donor-giving and foundation partnerships. He previously worked for enFocus Inc., a consultancy that collaborates with nonprofits, industry and communities to drive economic impact. He is a graduate of Wabash College and a Fulbright program alum. More by Pete Trotter / Wisconsin Watch
Trisha Young / Wisconsin Watch
Audio/video producer
Trisha Young became Wisconsin Watch’s audio/video producer in September 2024 after reporting on health issues for Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. She is a 2019 graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a degree in film, video, animation and new genres. More by Trisha Young / Wisconsin Watch
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
Executive director
Ron Smith became executive director of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service after serving as the managing editor for news at USA TODAY. Before moving to the Washington, D.C., area in 2016, Ron was the deputy managing editor for daily news and production at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he oversaw the breaking news hub and production desks and was the key point person for print story selections and workflow. He also has worked as an editor at The Oregonian, the Los Angeles Times and Newsday. He is known for championing great journalism and the great journalists who produce great works. He “proceeds until apprehended’ and is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help others — all while having fun along the way. More by Ron Smith
Dwayne Burtin
Deputy editor digital
Dwayne Burtin is the Ironman of digital media and interactive marketing. He possesses expert knowledge of the tools and technological resources necessary to develop creative and engaging content. His educational background in professional communication allows him to bring inspired storytelling and fresh interactive media together to reach diverse audiences. Dwayne has been working in digital media for 16 years. He is currently the deputy editor of digital news design for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and also an interactive marketing professional for Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More by Dwayne Burtin
Bevin Christie
Project manager, News414
Bevin Christie joined News414, a collaboration among Wisconsin Watch, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Outlier Media, in 2020. Christie is a social entrepreneur and community organizer, with a background in education reform and workforce development. She has partnered with public/private schools, community based organizations, and the Milwaukee community to build upon a belief that healing, equity, and inclusion is key to Milwaukee being a better place to thrive, not just survive. More by Bevin Christie
Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Senior staff reporter
Edgar Mendez is a senior staff reporter for Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. He won a 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and 2014, 2017, and 2018 Milwaukee Press Club Awards for his reporting on taverns, marijuana law enforcement, and lead in water service lines.
In 2008, he won a Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award for columns dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness and racism. His writing has been published by the Associated Press, Reuters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media. More by Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Staff reporter
PrincessSafiya Byers is a Report for America corps member working as a staff reporter at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service where she covers health, minority businesses, faith, jobs, housing and transportation. A proud Milwaukee native, Byers is a 2020 graduate of Marquette University. She has had internships with the Milwaukee Community Journal, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Byers has also co-produced a community podcast and written for community newsletters. More by PrincessSafiya Byers / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Staff reporter
Devin Blake started as a journalist at Patch, writing about the Southern California neighborhoods he grew up in. He focused on local business communities throughout the area and was drawn to stories about unemployment, worker resources, and businesses that were filling unmet needs in their communities.
Watching the homelessness crisis continue to deepen over those years, he began working as a resource and information coordinator for community groups and nonprofits so they could better serve populations without stable housing—populations that included the elderly, developmentally delayed and those with HIV/AIDs, among others.
Blake has contributed to a number of publications, including New York magazine, The Onion, and McSweeney’s. He loves spending time with his wife and negotiating with his son. More by Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Meredith Melland / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Report for America corps member and staff reporter
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods and community engagement reporter and a Report for America corps member. Report for America is a national service program that embeds journalists into local newsrooms to cover under-covered issues and communities.
As a journalist committed to local news and community service, Melland has experience covering community stories and writing and editing for a variety of mediums. Before returning to her home state of Wisconsin, she served as digital content editor of the Daily Journal in Kankakee, Illinois, where she also reported stories on COVID-19 and other topics.
While earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, she produced multimedia reporting for 14 East, DePaul’s student-run online magazine. Melland previously interned at Chicago magazine, WGN and StreetWise. More by Meredith Melland / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Julius Shieh / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Health reporter
Julius Shieh is the health reporter for Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. He was an intern for Wisconsin Watch through the Scripps Howard Fund, reporting with the Northeast Wisconsin News Lab collaboration. He previously was an intern and freelancer based out of Austin, Texas, working with KUT/KUTX Austin, The Texas Tribune and KTBC-7 Austin. He holds a BA in English and history from the University of Texas at Austin, where he reported for three years and served as photo editor at The Daily Texan, UT Austin’s student newspaper. More by Julius Shieh / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jonathan Perez
Staff photographer
A Milwaukee native, Jonathan Perez has always had an ambition to explore and create art. He’s been published in online magazines in the United States and internationally and has a bachelor’s of science degree in digital arts and design from Full Sail University. More by Jonathan Perez
Chesnie Wardell
Reporting intern
Chesnie Wardell serves as a reporting intern for NNS. In addition to compiling the popular “5 things to know and do” lists, she also writes features on notable North Side and South Side residents. She is a junior at Marquette University, where she studies journalism and digital media. Away from the NNS newsroom, Wardell writes for her family’s business in Friars Point, Mississippi. Wardell has volunteered at the student-run Marquette Wire, where she’s reported on weather and sports, anchored the news desk and put together news packages. Along with modeling and acting, Wardell enjoys freelance photography, being a substitute teacher and mentoring teens across Milwaukee. More by Chesnie Wardell
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz
News414 ambassador
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz is a News414/Noticias414 ambassador — forging connections with Milwaukee’s South Side residents, including those who predominantly speak Spanish. She is a proud graduate of Alverno College, where she earned a B.A. in psychology and minored in medical interpretation and professional communications. She’s a first-generation college graduate who knows the importance of community and mentorship navigating careers and resources. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 10 years, six of those in education — serving families and the broader community. More by Mariela Fonseca Ruiz
Delicia Morris
News414 ambassador
Delicia Morris is a News414 ambassador. She has been a community advocate and community health worker for Milwaukee’s Northwest side for over 15 years. She specializes in gathering information and resources and uses that knowledge to educate, equip and empower the neighborhood. She’s a graduate of UWM with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She has a passion for people and community and has participated in special projects/programs for holistic wellness, black women maternal child care, childhood obesity, asthma prevention, and intergenerational communication. More by Delicia Morris
Vanessa Vasquez
News414 ambassador
Vanessa Vasquez is a News414/Noticias414 ambassador — forging connections on Milwaukee’s South Side, where she grew up. Vasquez earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alverno College as a first-generation student. Vanessa currently serves as the Director of the Caroline Scholars Program at Mount Mary University. She previously worked at Carmen Schools of Science & Technology, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Alverno College. Vasquez volunteers with multiple Milwaukee-area organizations. She was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal (MBJ) as one of the 2019, 40 Under 40 Award recipients, the 2018 UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year, and the 2016 Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM) Future Leader Award. She served as the 2013-2014 Ambassador representing the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation/Mexican Fiesta Inc. More by Vanessa Vasquez
Contributors and consultants
Claire DeRosa
Graphic designer and animator
Claire DeRosa currently designs for Rise Strategy Group in Chicago, helping tell the stories of public, private and nonprofit clients throughout the city. DeRosa worked for Wisconsin Watch from 2019 to 2022 as its first graphic designer. She pioneered Wisconsin Watch’s brand through bold and experimental design, establishing its visual identity. She holds a BA in journalism and political science from UW-Madison and enjoys deejaying and producing electronic music in her free time. More by Claire DeRosa
Christa Westerberg
Counsel
Christa Westerberg is an attorney at Pines Bach LLP in Madison, Wisconsin, where she practices environmental, civil rights, and open government law. Since 2008, Westerberg has served as the vice president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. More by Christa Westerberg
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