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Marisa Taylor
Managing Editor at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and freelance journalist, currently on maternity leave
Professional Background
Marisa Taylor is a highly versatile journalist with over a dozen years of rich experience covering various topics for major news outlets, including The Guardian, Al Jazeera America, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. Her extensive professional journey illustrates her adeptness in both reporting and editing, establishing her as a prominent voice in the field. Marisa's work is particularly focused on gender and health issues, where she passionately shares women's stories and sheds light on crucial public health matters that significantly affect their lives.
Since September 2018, Marisa has been serving as the managing editor for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the nation's largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Her role involves overseeing long-term freelance projects that highlight the intersection of culture and social matters, demonstrating her commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Before her current position, Marisa honed her editing skills as the assistant editor for The Guardian's sustainable business section. During her time at Al Jazeera America, she worked as a digital reporter and producer, leading the site’s coverage on health and women’s rights for three impactful years. Her extensive journalism career began on the tech beat, where she not only wrote a gadget review column for The Wall Street Journal but also covered live events as a video correspondent for WSJ.com. Her contributions to WSJ also include daily dispatches for the 'Digits' blog, covering unique aspects of the tech world.
A notable highlight of her investigative work includes her participation in the Gerald Loeb Award-winning series “What They Know,” where she served as a researcher, focusing on critical issues regarding online privacy. Additionally, Marisa contributed as a fact-checker for Mother Jones, showcasing her dedication to journalistic integrity.
Education and Achievements
Marisa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford University, where she first cultivated her interest in human stories and societal issues. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism. The skills she gained during her academic journey have played a critical role in her success as a multimedia storyteller.
In pursuit of enhancing her skill set, Marisa participated in a Transom Traveling Workshop, an intensive audio storytelling course hosted by Atlantic Public Media. This experience refined her radio reporting and production capabilities, adding another dimension to her already diverse skill set. Her passion for storytelling continues to drive her ambition in journalism, leveraging her unique voice to raise awareness of important issues within society.
Notable Achievements
- Managing Editor at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation: In this pivotal role, Marisa takes the lead in shaping significant narratives about the arts and humanities while promoting essential discussions around culture.
- Assistant Editor at The Guardian: Here, she played a key role in developing content focused on sustainability and business practices, merging ecological awareness with responsible journalism.
- Digital Reporter and Producer at Al Jazeera America: Marisa led groundbreaking coverage on health and women’s rights, ensuring that underrepresented voices were brought to the forefront of the conversation.
- Special Projects Reporter for The Wall Street Journal: In this role, she was embraced for her investigative prowess, engaging with challenging topics that required diligent research and storytelling finesse.
- Tech Journalist for the ‘Digits’ Blog: As a technology reporter, she explored various tech phenomena, showcasing unique aspects of the digital world through captivating narratives.
- Research Contributions to Award-Winning Series: Marisa's involvement in 'What They Know' highlighted critical areas of online privacy, earning commendation for its impactful storytelling and research depth.
Marisa Taylor continues to excel in her field, utilizing her extensive knowledge and experience to influence the media landscape positively. Her dedication to highlighting women's stories and public health issues positions her as a thought leader in journalism, dedicated to making a difference in her community and beyond.
