Ambassador
Jennifer S.
She/Her
Digital Producer
News | Florida Today/TC Palm
USA TODAY Co. enables me to grow by…
USA TODAY Co. enables me to grow by “providing opportunities.” I love challenging myself and learning new things. Throughout my career here, the company has invested in me, made me a better journalist, and I feel valued..
Describe your career path in a chronological timeline.
Over the years, I was promoted several times.
1997 • News Assistant | USA TODAY Co.
2008 • Metromix Editor | USA TODAY Co.
When I was Metromix Editor in 2008, I availed myself to the best training and perks that USA TODAY Co. could offer: TV reporting for a print journalist and tuition reimbursement. That was true “on the job learning.” USA TODAY Co. invested in me.
2017–Present • Digital Producer/Social Media Leader for Florida Region | USA TODAY Co.
My favorite job in my storied career here: Digital Producer in 2017 and Social Media Leader for Florida region, which oversees 18 sites.
2020 USA TODAY Co.’s Emerging Leaders Program
2021 Co-Chair of Asian American Forward ERG
Pick one word to describe what you love most about your teammates.
Teamwork
Describe a USA TODAY Co. project that has inspired you.
A tale of twins: Olivia and Adrianna have a unique situation. They are twins, and one has cerebral palsy – Olivia and Adrianna DeBoer have a unique situation: They are twins, and Olivia has cerebral palsy. Olivia is outgoing, while Adrianna tries to avoid the spotlight. Their differences intrigued me. I wanted to get to know them. So for eight months, visual journalist Craig Rubadoux and I documented life with the DeBoer family. We visited the twins at school, spent time with them at home and observed Olivia’s challenges with cerebral palsy. This special project won two First Place awards.
A day in the life…
Working with editors from different regions: Me, Maribel Perez Wadsworth (President of News, USA TODAY NETWORK and Publisher, USA TODAY), Clayton Park (Business Editor at Daytona Beach News-Journal), and my husband Jeff Meesey (Content Strategy Analyst for Florida region)
Working with my local newsroom, FLORIDA TODAY
Promoting Asian American Forward ERG at a company panel Meeting.
A K-9 from my community.
Name one of your individual strengths and explain how you apply it at USA TODAY Co.
Networking is one of my individual strengths. I may not know the answer to a question, but I bet I know someone who does. I never forget a face, and on many occasions, I’ve heard, “can you help me with this or do you know someone?” This works for readers and colleagues.
Show some photos that reflect YOU, either personally or professionally.
I work in News. The world seems topsy-turvy some days, with COVID-19, working from home, unpredictable industry… USA TODAY Co. has made me feel valued, especially during these “pandemic years.” With the heavy comes the light: I work hard, but I also manage to enjoy family time.
