CNN Heroes
Journalist / Producer / Director
2007-2013
cnnheroes.com
CNN Heroes is a sponsored, multi-platform campaign of featured documentary specials and weekly short packages – for broadcast, digital, mobile and social media – profiling the CNN Heroes: everyday people making extraordinary impact around the world through non-profit ventures, as nominated online by CNN’s global audience. Each year culminates with the holiday season live, global broadcast, CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper.
Harmon Parker builds footbridges in Kenya, protecting people from floods and animals while connecting communities. Parker’s non-profit, Bridging the Gap, has installed 45 bridges in Kenya affecting tens of thousands of lives.
Full story and text
Connie Siskowski is helping young people who are caring for an ill, disabled or aging family member. Since 2002, her nonprofit has provided assistance to more than 500 young caregivers in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Full story and text
Evans Wadongo invented a way for rural Kenyans to replace smoky kerosene and firelight with solar lanterns. He estimates he’s distributed 10,000 lanterns — improving the health of both people and the planet — for free.
Full story and text
Kathryn Hall-Trujillo started the Birthing Project USA to help African-Americans have healthy babies. By pairing new moms with volunteer “sister friends” who provide support and education, the group has welcomed 12,000 babies into 94 communities.
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Erika Vohman is teaching women in Central America the value of their native Maya nut. With training from her Equilibrium Fund, communities have planted more than 800,000 trees for rain forest conservation and food.
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Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit, Wine to Water, has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.
Full story and text
Experience & Responsibilities:
• Original to team that created and developed award-winning, crowd-sourced, social impact, multi-media brand and audience.
• Identified, researched, vetted and reported on numerous non-profits across sub-sectors, gaining intimate knowledge of the social cause industry, community and culture.
• Pitched & produced numerous branded profiles, specials, news packages, text articles, copy and promotional materials for broadcast, digital, mobile and social media.
• Yielded impressive ROI for numerous NGOs, increasing volunteer and donor bases, funding and opportunity through effective storytelling, packaging and press
• Directed, produced and managed CNN correspondent talent and celebrity bookings.
• Managed co-productions with CNN’s global units, bureaus and shows.
• Oversaw production budgets, timelines, staff and freelance teams.
• Developed rigorous vetting process & guided contract & release negotiations with CNN Standards and Practices, Research, Legal and The Row.
Related Content:
• Promotions
• Sharing the Spotlight
• All-Star Tribute
• 12 ways of giving — without reaching into your wallet
• CNN Heroes on Facebook
• CNN Heroes on Twitter