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By the time I attended my first IRE conference, I was in my fourth job. I had just earned the investigative “title,” but had been doing investigative stories for years. I was eager to sharpen my skills with real training.
That conference gave me so much more.
I found my people – the ones who go to work early and stay late, who answer their phones at all hours, and who work harder than anyone else in the newsroom – simply for the love of the craft.
I saw that no matter how competitive we are at work, within IRE, mentorship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growing the next generation of investigators matter most.
As a member of IRE’s Board of Directors, I’ve worked to keep that spirit at the forefront.
I’ve served on the Executive Committee and led efforts to improve member services, raise revenue, reform our elections, and increase student engagement. I’ve served on the Governance Committee, shaping policies and operations. And I’ve spent six years helping lead IRE through critical decisions, gaining valuable institutional knowledge to help us through this pivotal moment for journalists and journalism.
Newsrooms are facing devastating budget cuts and layoffs, journalists are increasingly under physical and legal threat, and public trust is being eroded. The training and community IRE provides are more critical than ever – and must be accessible to all. I advocated for the creation of AccessFest, bringing virtual training to students, international members, and others who can’t attend in person. I’ve worked to keep training affordable and to increase funding for scholarships and fellowships. But we must do more to encourage newsrooms, universities, and other stakeholders to invest in us.
This is especially true for the courageous students who are standing in the doorway of our industry, looking at the disruption within, and choosing to enter anyway. We must be there to welcome them with the tools they need to succeed.
Over the past year, I’ve led IRE’s new Academic Task Force, launching student chapters at six universities, encouraging shared instructional resources, and developing ways to elevate student work.
Much of my Board service has focused on better meeting members’ needs. I helped develop an online mentoring platform, expanded meetups, renewed focus on retention, and created a member survey that continues to inform IRE’s direction. I created a subcommittee structure to focus on programs and build a pipeline of future leaders. Several committees now follow this model.
I also led efforts to improve the structure of our elections and increase diversity among candidates, including outreach to underrepresented international members. We’ve worked to make IRE a welcoming, inclusive space for journalists of all backgrounds, platforms, and market sizes to learn new skills, build their careers, and better their communities.
At this critical time, IRE must focus on helping journalists and journalism survive by equipping members with training, support, and advocacy for our rights.
IRE needs steady, experienced leadership to meet this moment and I hope you will allow me to continue to serve.
Mark Greenblatt, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism - Arizona State University, current IRE Board member: I’m honored to nominate Jodie Fleischer for re-election to the IRE Board. Her leadership of IRE's new academic task force has sparked a surge of student chapter launches—including one at my own university—and built stronger bridges between professional and student members. Jodie brings valuable institutional knowledge during a time of industry transition and is not afraid to challenge the status quo in board discussions when she feels it is in the best interest of IRE. That kind of principled leadership is not always easy, but it is sometimes necessary. A national award-winning video investigative journalist, she’s also been a collaborative partner across mediums—print, digital, and audio. Jodie has shown again and again that she cares deeply about the future of investigative journalism and the vitality of IRE. Her experience, integrity, and action-oriented leadership make her an essential voice on this board.
Mark Walker, The New York Times: I’m proud to nominate Jodie Fleischer for re-election to IRE’s Board. At a critical time for investigative journalism, Jodie brings unmatched experience, steadiness, and a deep commitment to IRE’s mission. During my time as President, I saw Jodie’s leadership firsthand. She helped launch an online mentoring platform, led a member survey that still shapes key decisions, and built a regional meetup program. She championed the creation of AccessFest, to bring virtual training to students, international members, and others who can’t attend in person. She led an overhaul of board elections to ensure more fairness and transparency. Jodie is a tireless advocate for students and early-career journalists - always focused on lifting others up. She is principled, generous and grounded in the values that make our organization thrive. She sets the kind of example every journalist can look up to. IRE will be stronger with Jodie on the Board of Directors.
Current Work Position:
Managing Editor, Investigative Content and Collaborations for Cox Media Group
(2022 - Present)
Prior Work Experience:
Investigative Reporter, WRC-TV Washington, D.C.
Investigative Reporter, WSB-TV Atlanta
Reporter, WFTV-TV Orlando
Reporter, WSPA-TV Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
Reporter, WLTX Columbia, SC
Current IRE Experience:
Prior IRE Experience:
IRE Areas of Focus:
Professional Expertise:
Collaborations, Research, Broadcast Writing/Editing, Visual Storytelling, Data Analysis, Open Records, Mentorship, Talent Development
Professional Recognition: (current job role)
Television Investigative Journalism, Digital Investigative Journalism, D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award
Professional Recognition Highlights: (prior job role as investigative reporter)
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