Andrew Lehren
Statement
I am passionate about IRE and seek your support to further diversify the organization, ensure its financial stability, make trainings more affordable and accessible for a wider reach of journalists, support press freedoms and help our members in these challenging times.
IRE has been life-changing for me. Just out of college and working at a small Philadelphia newspaper, I first heard about it from a friend who described a nonprofit dedicated to helping journalists report stories that matter. I couch-surfed my way to my first conference, and it was revelatory – the methods to do better stories, and the sense of community built on helping one another.
Since then, I’ve volunteered as a speaker and trainer at more than 30 conferences. I joined IRE’s staff, serving as associate director for projects, running NICAR’s data operations for three years. Now finishing my first term on the board. I work tirelessly to give back. I have been the lead local organizer for four New York regional IRE conferences – the most recent in January. These attract new members and are affordable for people who can't attend our conferences. The success of these events has been a model for other regional conferences. I am one of the lead organizers for IRE’s meetups across the country, gatherings that have brought together hundreds of journalists, broadened IRE’s membership and helped build ties with other journalism groups. I have been a lead mentor for a Chauncey Bailey Journalist Of Color reporting fellow, among the many times I have been an IRE mentor.
I know what it means to take what you learn at IRE and use it for your work.
I have been an investigative reporter – at The New York Times and at NBC News.
Among many honors are four IRE awards, including one exposing racial injustices in
policing in America. Now I am the investigations editor for Mongabay, a leading global environment news organization.
At CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism, I am director of investigative reporting,
helping the next generation. CUNY is one of the most diverse journalism schools in
America, and one of the most affordable. Its values echo my dedication to diversity and affordability. The lessons from IRE show in their work: My class has won four IRE student investigations awards.
I carry the IRE ethos by helping journalism organizations around the world, like the
AAJA, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, SPJ, GIJN, Ukrainian journalism
groups and NAHJ -- building bridges is another way I work to further IRE’s reach.
Outside journalism, I have been a guide for 15 years for a visually impaired marathoner.
I work constantly to help others. I have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and work tirelessly on these issues. I have done fundraising successfully for IRE and want to ensure it is on firm financial footing, especially during this difficult economic period in our profession.
Paying it forward – and making sure all IRE remains vital and vibrant, and accessible to all – is why I seek your vote.
- Current position:
- Investigations Editor, the global environmental news organization Mongabay
- Director of Investigative Reporting, CUNY Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
- Prior experience:
- Investigative reporter and editor: The New York Times, NBC News
- Pulitzer Center fellow
- Honors include multiple IREs, a Peabody, Emmys, Polk, Columbia duPonts, Murrows and Overseas Press Club awards
- IRE experience:
- IRE Board Member
- Previously on IRE staff, serving as associate director for NICAR, overseeing database operations
- More than 30 NICAR and IRE conferences, speaking and helping with trainings in dozens of sessions
- Local organizer of IRE mini-conferences in New York
- Expertise:
- Data journalism and investigative reporting on national,
international and local projects - Television, broadcast, digital, newspapers
- Data journalism and investigative reporting on national,
- Related links:
- Key issues to address as a board member:
- Working well with IRE board members to address the headwinds facing our profession
- Ensuring IRE hires a strong executive director
- Broadening IRE’s affordability, accessibility and diversity
- Ensuring IRE’s financial health
- Fundraising
- Fostering bonds among IRE members
between conferences, including with local meetups and virtual events - Helping students, including with university chapters
- Strengthen offerings for international members
- Work on issues for press freedoms
Nominated by Ron Nixon
I am writing to nominate my good friend and former colleague Andy Lehren for the board of IRE. I have known Andy for more than two decades and he and I were colleagues at the New York Times for more than 12 years and we work together on numerous projects for IRE as well.
Andy has been heavily involved with IRE over the years, training, mentoring and helping to develop curriculum for the organization for years.
Andy has helped to develop and train countless journalists and represented IRE at events around the world. He has also developed several generations of investigative reporters through his teaching at conferences and in his role at City University of New York. I can think of no one better to serve on the board of this great organization.
Second nomination by Cheryl Phillips
Andy Lehren has worked and volunteered for IRE. As I wrote last time around, he is an indefatigable supporter of training journalists in the skills of investigative reporting. Those are all great reasons for re-electing him to the IRE board. Here’s an even more important reason. As we embark on a search for a new executive director and chart our path ahead, having a representative who has been a part of the history of IRE and has a clear focus on its mission is critical. Please re-elect Andy so he can continue the work to keep IRE on the right track, from fundraising to training, and most importantly, to being a part of the process for identifying and selecting our next executive director, and then helping that director launch. I am proud to nominate Andy Lehren for the IRE board. I hope he has your vote.