Associate director of programs, ThreeSixty Journalism, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Pechulano Ngwe Ali is a multimedia storyteller and educator with experience in journalism, public communication and external relations. He has a knack for persuasive, engaging and impactful journalistic storytelling that centers people and communities. He is passionate about leveraging his skills in media production, as well as curriculum design and implementation, to train and mentor young people in finding, developing and using their voices for civic engagement in their communities. Previously, he taught college courses in data journalism, podcasting and narrative audio storytelling, long-form multimedia journalism and international communication.

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FEATURED SESSION

Inclusive storytelling: A guide for young reporters

This session situates the critical role of inclusive journalistic storytelling at a time when social (and political) divides and uncertainty around inclusive practices are intensifying. We will discuss why inclusive journalism matters as a tool to strengthen local communities, and how young reporters can do it well in practice. Using examples from ThreeSixty Journalism, we will highlight approaches for engaging young voices, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and producing stories that reflect community diversity with accuracy and respect. This session will also address the challenges student journalists can face in pursuing inclusive storytelling.

11 a.m. Saturday

Journalism education editor, The New York Times, New York City

Sara Aridi is a journalism education editor at The New York Times. She explores how The School of The New York Times can teach journalism fundamentals and media literacy to high school students. She joined The Times in 2016 as a news assistant, working primarily for the culture desk. She then spent four years on the home team, overseeing The Times’s home screen, app and news alerts. She has also contributed to several departments, covering the coronavirus pandemic, travel, film and more. She has taught at The School of The New York Times and Columbia University.

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FEATURED SESSION

What is journalism?

This session will cover the basics of journalism: What is it? What purposes does it serve? How do journalists tell stories? And why does journalism matter?

Vice president, Center for Broadcast Journalism, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Harry Colbert Jr., an award-winning journalist and author of the memoir “My Sliding Doors,” is vice president of the Center for Broadcast Journalism in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He previously served as managing editor of MinnPost. He also served as editor-in-chief at North News and managing editor at Insight News. Colbert, who hails from St. Louis, is the immediate past president of NABJ-MN, the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, leading the chapter through rebranding from the Twin Cities Black Journalists.

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FEATURED SESSION

The importance of diversity and independent media

This session will discuss the need for diversity in media and how independent storytellers are becoming a key component in news dissemination.

Noon Friday

Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio News, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jon Collins is a senior reporter on MPR News’ race, class and communities team. He’s covered criminal justice and law enforcement accountability. Collins is the co-creator of the Peabody Award-winning “74 Seconds” podcast.

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FEATURED SESSION

Covering the federal surge into Minnesota

This session will cover what the federal surge into Minnesota has looked like on the ground. How did reporters handle the lack of information from the federal government? How did reporters and photojournalists stay safe? What is the role of local journalists when your community is in the national spotlight?

with Ben Hovland, Minnesota Public Radio News

Education reporter, Sahan Journal, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Becky Dernbach is the education reporter for Sahan Journal. Dernbach graduated from Carleton College in 2008, just in time for the economy to crash. She worked many jobs before going into journalism, including substitute teaching with Minneapolis Public Schools and community organizing. She earned a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism in 2019 and worked as an editorial fellow for Mother Jones before joining Sahan Journal in June 2020 through Report for America.

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FEATURED SESSION

Education reporting for students

Schools are on the front lines of some of the most important political conversations of our time, from history curriculum to LGBTQ inclusion to immigration — and student journalists have a front-row seat. This session will provide discussion of examples of impactful education journalism by students, story ideas you can look for in your school, and where to dig if you get stuck.

Documentary filmmaker, Fischr Media, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Alec Fischer is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist based in Minneapolis. His most recent documentary series, “COVID Confessions,” highlights the stories of 330 workers across 40 industries in Minnesota impacted directly by the COVID-19 pandemic. The series won an EWA National Award for Education Reporting, was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award and received 17 Upper Midwest Emmy Award nominations, winning 5. In 2023, Fischer signed a distribution deal with Snapchat for two original series and was included on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list for his work bringing Midwestern stories to global audiences. In 2024, he was named a global finalist for One Young World’s Journalist of the Year award and was selected as a national fellow by the Education Writers Association. He is currently in post-production on his first feature film, “The Fair,” profiling the iconic Minnesota State Fair.

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FEATURED SESSION

Beyond the newsroom: Founding your own media company

After working in digital media and getting fired from a marketing job in 2018, Alec Fischer founded his own media company based in Minneapolis. Within five years he had an original content deal with Snapchat, was collaborating with celebrities and globally recognized clients, and gained national awards recognition as a documentary filmmaker and journalist based in the Midwest. Hear directly from Fischer about his hybrid journey in the entrepreneurship and journalism world, key lessons learned and essential financial models required to navigate being a full-time entrepreneur in the storytelling and media space.

Founder and CEO, Infinite Voices, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Kyndell Harkness is an award-winning newsroom executive and culture strategist with over two decades of experience driving institutional change. As the former head of culture and community at the Minnesota Star Tribune, she built frameworks that shifted how one of the nation’s largest regional news organizations hires, retains and reflects underrepresented voices.

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FEATURED SESSION

Culturally informed storytelling

Great storytelling begins with curiosity. Powerful storytelling begins with care. In this interactive session, Kyndell Harkness will guide students through what it means to approach reporting with cultural awareness, humility and intention — especially when telling stories rooted in communities you are not a part of. Through conversation, real-world examples and practical tools, participants will explore how identity shapes perspective — both the journalist’s and the source’s. Together, we’ll examine how to move beyond surface-level coverage toward storytelling that reflects complexity, context and care.

9 a.m. Saturday

Visual journalist, Minnesota Public Radio News, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Before joining MPR News, Ben Hovland served as a multimedia producer at Sahan​​ Journal, a nonprofit digital newsroom that covers Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color. His photojournalism has also appeared in The Washington Post, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, NPR, the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the BBC.

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FEATURED SESSION

Covering the federal surge into Minnesota

This session will cover what the federal surge into Minnesota has looked like on the ground. How did reporters handle the lack of information from the federal government? How did reporters and photojournalists stay safe? What is the role of local journalists when your community is in the national spotlight?

with Jon Collins, Minnesota Public Radio News

Storytelling coach and reporter, TEGNA Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Boyd Huppert produces and hosts KARE 11’s weekly “Land of 10,000 Stories” segment, while serving as national storytelling coach for the 49 newsrooms of TEGNA Inc., the media company that owns KARE. Huppert’s writing and reporting have been recognized with 26 National Edward R. Murrow Awards. He is also the recipient of a national Emmy for feature reporting, 168 regional Emmys, the Scripps Howard Award, and multiple Sigma Delta Chi and National Headliner Awards. Boyd was a 2023 inductee into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was also selected to join the Emmy Silver Circle for career contributions to the television industry.

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FEATURED SESSION

Lessons from the land of 10,000 stories

In this session, one of America’s most awarded visual storytellers shares his stories and the secrets he used to tell.

Investigative reporter, KARE 11-TV, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A.J. Lagoe is an investigative reporter for KARE 11 in Minneapolis. His reporting routinely leads to criminal convictions, legislative hearings, and new state and federal laws. Lagoe is a multi-time recipient of journalism’s highest honors including Peabody and duPont Columbia Awards.

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FEATURED SESSION

Words that hold power

This session covers the art of writing powerful narratives that drive change, hook readers and listeners, and make them care.

Senior editor, Minnesota Public Radio News, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Leah Lemm​ is a senior editor at MPR News, leading the Native News initiative, which highlights stories and issues important to Native American communities in Minnesota and beyond. Lemm​ is a citizen of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

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FEATURED SESSION

Building Native News

Join this session to learn about The Native News Project, a new initiative from Minnesota Public Radio. Discover how they cover the latest news about local and national Native American communities by highlighting stories and issues important to Native American communities in Minnesota and beyond. Native News coverage includes cultural events, policy updates, community stories and more to provide a platform for Native voices, perspectives and important news. Bring your questions about how you might highlight Indigenous communities in your school.

with Melissa Olson, Minnesota Public Radio News

10 a.m. Friday

Founder and CEO, Ethography, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Nikolas Liepins is a photographer, cinematographer and CEO of production company Ethography. For nearly seven years, he has produced content across events, editorial, higher education and entertainment. Liepins covers news and entertainment for clients including Shutterstock Editorial and the Associated Press, with credits in TIME, The Washington Post, The Guardian, People and beyond. His coverage includes the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, U.S. and foreign presidents, the Silicon Valley Bank collapse and the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. He is an alumnus staff member of The Rubicon at St. Paul Academy and Summit School in Minneapolis, under adviser Kathryn Campbell, CJE.

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FEATURED SESSION

Concerts to Congress: “All access” as a student journalist

Student press passes aren’t learners’ permits. They can be your keys to concerts, a press conference with the governor, the secretary of state’s motorcade and stories that hold power accountable. Expand your definition of what’s possible and become a strong self-advocate with actual strategies to unlock these spaces for yourself.

Associate editor, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minneapolis

Bio coming soon

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FEATURED SESSION

Marketing and audience engagement for student journalists

This session will offer topics related to marketing, fundraising, branding, sales, publicity, public relations and audience engagement for student journalists.

with Tracey Williams-Dillard, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio News, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Melissa Olson is a reporter for MPR News and the Upper Midwest Newsroom, focused on tribal nations and Native communities. She is also an essayist and community archivist. Olson’s work has received several awards and accolades, including multiple awards from the Indigenous​ Journalists Association, numerous Page One Awards from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists and an award of merit from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s Eric Sevareid​ for her work on North Star Journey. Olson is a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and lives in Minneapolis.

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FEATURED SESSION

Building Native News

Join this session to learn about The Native News Project, a new initiative from Minnesota Public Radio. Discover how they cover the latest news about local and national Native American communities by highlighting stories and issues important to Native American communities in Minnesota and beyond. Native News coverage includes cultural events, policy updates, community stories and more to provide a platform for Native voices, perspectives and important news. Bring your questions about how you might highlight Indigenous communities in your school.

with Leah Lemm, Minnesota Public Radio News

10 a.m. Friday

News anchor, KARE 11-TV, Minneapolis, Minnesota

23. That’s how many years Jana Shortal has worked as a journalist for KARE 11 in Minneapolis. In all of those years, Shortal has gone from a general assignment reporter to hosting Breaking The News, weeknights at 6:30 p.m. Shortal’s reason for journalism? Because the truth, still, has to matter. Shortal graduated with a Bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia and is an eight-time Emmy winner.

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FEATURED SESSION

Telling the truth still matters

Do you want to see more truth telling in broadcast media? Do you dream of being a news anchor? Do you want to bring your full humanity to the work? This Q&A session will be a conversation with a brave and honest news anchor. Bring your questions for Jana Shortal. She will field your questions about reporting in the streets, what the role of a news anchor entails, relationship building with an audience, building newsroom diversity, navigating politics, and whatever you are hoping to learn from this dynamic journalist who will tell it to you straight.

Senior producer, IndiJ Public Media, Lincoln, Nebraska

Shirley Sneve is the senior producer for the ICT newscast, a program of IndiJ Public Media, the parent company of ICT, formerly Indian Country Today. This weekly, half-hour newscast airs on the majority of PBS stations, as well as in Australia, Canada and several online streaming platforms, including Free Speech TV and YouTube. A member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Sneve is also affiliated with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She directed Vision Maker Media from 2004-2019, which is the largest U.S. funder of Indigenous documentary film projects for public broadcasting. She lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, and serves on the boards of The Circle Newspaper in Minneapolis, Minnesota, The Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, Kentucky, the Near South Neighborhood Association in Lincoln, and Arts Extension Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts.

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FEATURED SESSION

Reporting on Indigenous issues

Learn four key elements of getting the story in Indian Country. With 575 federally recognized tribes, understanding the nuances of history, culture, protocol and developing sources will assist journalists in getting the story. A resource guide will set the stage for a discussion of reporting opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native multimedia stories.

1 p.m. Friday

CEO and publisher, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minneapolis

Tracey Williams-Dillard is the owner and CEO of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minnesota’s longest-running Black-owned newspaper, founded in 1934 by her grandfather, Cecil E. Newman. Raised in the newsroom, she began working at the paper at age eight and held nearly every operational role before becoming CEO in 2001 and owner in 2006. Under her leadership, the Spokesman-Recorder expanded into a multimedia platform with a strong digital footprint and was featured in Small Business Revolution. In 2015, its building became a Minnesota Historical Landmark and is now under consideration for National Historic Landmark status. Tracey currently leads the Spokesman-Recorder Nonprofit and advances community-centered journalism.

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FEATURED SESSION

Marketing and audience engagement for student journalists

This session will offer topics related to marketing, fundraising, branding, sales, publicity, public relations and audience engagement for student journalists.

with Jasmine McBride, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder