Milwaukee NNS Staff
Ron Smith, Executive Director
Ronshine comes to us after serving as the managing editor for news at USA TODAY. Before moving to the Washington, D.C., area in 2016, Ron was the deputy managing editor for daily news and production at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he oversaw the breaking news hub, production desks and was the key point person for print story selections and workflow.
He also has worked as an editor at The Oregonian, the Los Angeles Times and Newsday. He is known for championing great journalism and the great journalists who produce great works. He “proceeds until apprehended’ and is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help others — all while having fun along the way.
Edgar Mendez, Managing Editor
Raised in a South Side neighborhood where he still lives, Edgar Mendez is the managing editor of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Mendez is a proud graduate of UW-Milwaukee, where he double majored in journalism and sociology, and of Marquette University, where he earned a master’s degree in communication.
He won a 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and 2014, 2017, and 2018 Milwaukee Press Club Awards for his reporting on taverns, marijuana law enforcement, and lead in water service lines. In 2008, he won a Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award for columns dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness and racism. His writing has been published by the Associated Press, Reuters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media. He has also co-authored three articles published in scholarly journals. He is a proud father of a five, eight, 14 and 16-year-old and is an avid fan of all Wisconsin sports teams. Go Pack Go!
Dwayne Burtin, Deputy Editor / Digital
Dwayne Burtin is the Ironman of digital media and interactive marketing. He possesses expert knowledge of the tools and technological resources necessary to develop creative and engaging content. His educational background in professional communication allows him to bring inspired storytelling and fresh interactive media together to reach diverse audiences. Dwayne has been working in digital media for 16 years. He is currently the deputy editor of digital news design for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and also an interactive marketing professional for Marquette University in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Jonathan Aguilar, Photographer
Jonathan Aguilar is a photojournalist as well as a Report for America corps member and Catchlight Local fellow.
Report for America is a national service program that embeds journalists into local newsrooms to cover under-covered issues and communities.
CatchLight Local is a collaborative initiative that empowers newsrooms to produce locally relevant and representative visual journalism that builds audience trust and engagement.
Before coming to Milwaukee, he spent two years as a photographer at one of America’s oldest daily newspapers, The Blade, in Toledo, Ohio.
Aguilar grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from DePaul University and his master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism.
PrincessSafiya Byers, Staff Reporter
PrincessSafiya Byers was born and raised in Milwaukee, and is a 2020 graduate of Marquette University, majoring in Journalism and Africana Studies. Her commitment to her community has led her to nonprofit work with local youth and families. She’s also interned with the Milwaukee Community Journal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and joins Milwaukee NNS as a Staff Reporter looking to serve democracy by covering issues important to the community.
Devin Blake, Staff Reporter
Devin Blake started as a journalist at Patch, writing about the Southern California neighborhoods he grew up in. He focused on local business communities throughout the area and was drawn to stories about unemployment, worker resources, and businesses that were filling unmet needs in their communities.
Watching the homelessness crisis continue to deepen over those years, he began working as a resource and information coordinator for community groups and nonprofits so they could better serve populations without stable housing—populations that included the elderly, developmentally delayed and those with HIV/AIDs, among others.
Blake has contributed to a number of publications, including New York magazine, The Onion, and McSweeney’s. He loves spending time with his wife and negotiating with his 2-year-old son.
Alex Klaus, Staff Reporter
Alex Klaus covers education and is a Report for America corps member.
Report for America is a national service program that embeds journalists into local newsrooms to cover under-covered issues and communities.
Previously, she covered Detroit K-12 schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. She’s also reported for Outlier Media, Detroit Documenters and Bridge Detroit as a freelancer. She graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in urban studies and public history.
When she isn’t reporting, Alex loves going outside, cooking, baking and trying new restaurants.
Meredith Melland, Staff Reporter
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods and community engagement reporter and a Report for America corps member. Report for America is a national service program that embeds journalists into local newsrooms to cover under-covered issues and communities.
As a journalist committed to local news and community service, Melland has experience covering community stories and writing and editing for a variety of mediums. Before returning to her home state of Wisconsin, she served as digital content editor of the Daily Journal in Kankakee, Illinois, where she also reported stories on COVID-19 and other topics.
While earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, she produced multimedia reporting for 14 East, DePaul’s student-run online magazine. Melland previously interned at Chicago magazine, WGN and StreetWise.
Trisha Young, Audio/Video Producer
Trisha Young serves as the audio/video producer for Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Wisconsin Watch. Before then, she was the health reporter for NNS. She is a 2019 graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a degree in film, video, animation and new genres.
In her free time, Trisha enjoys making and watching films, reading science fiction, making art, traveling and exploring other cultures, kickboxing and engaging in debates (arguing).
Chesnie Wardell, Staff Reporter
Chesnie Wardell serves as the intergenerational reporter for NNS, focusing on the vibrant youth and elder communities of Milwaukee. She also compiles our popular “5 things to know and do” lists. She is a 2025 graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and digital media, and started at NNS as an intern her first semester and has been with us ever since.
Away from the NNS newsroom, Wardell writes for her family’s business in Friars Point, Mississippi. Wardell has volunteered at the student-run Marquette Wire, where she’s reported on weather, sports, anchored the news desk and put together news packages. Along with modeling and acting, Wardell enjoys freelance photography, being a substitute teacher and mentoring teens across Milwaukee.
Bevin Christie, News414 Project Manager
Bevin Christie joined News414, a collaboration between the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Wisconsin Watch in 2020. Christie is a social entrepreneur and community organizer, with a background in education reform and workforce development. She has partnered with public/private schools, community-based organizations and the Milwaukee community to build upon a belief that healing, equity and inclusion is key to Milwaukee being a better place to thrive not just survive.
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz, News414 Ambassador
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz is a News414/Noticias414 ambassador — forging connections with Milwaukee’s South Side residents, including those who predominantly speak Spanish. She is a proud graduate of Alverno College, where she earned a B.A. in psychology and minored in medical interpretation and professional communications. She’s a first-generation college graduate who knows the importance of community and mentorship navigating careers and resources. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 10 years, six of those in education — serving families and the broader community.
Delicia Morris, News414 Ambassador
Delicia Morris is a News414 ambassador. She has been a community advocate and community health worker for Milwaukee’s Northwest side for over 15 years. She specializes in gathering information and resources and uses that knowledge to educate, equip and empower the neighborhood. She’s a graduate of UWM with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She has a passion for people and community and has participated in special projects/programs for holistic wellness, black women maternal child care, childhood obesity, asthma prevention, and intergenerational communication.
Wisconsin Watch Business Staff
George Stanley / Wisconsin Watch, CEO
George Stanley joined Wisconsin Watch as chief executive officer in October 2023. Stanley is president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and past president of the national News Leaders Association. He was the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 2015 to 2022 and managing editor since 1997. In addition, he built and oversaw the extensive in-depth and investigative reporting efforts that resulted in the Journal Sentinel being a Pulitzer Prize finalist 10 times since 2000 and winning three times. Stanley joined the Sentinel in 1989 as a reporter covering statewide issues, including conservation, the environment and natural resources. He grew up in Green Bay, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, started at the Lake Geneva Regional News and also covered the outdoors and conservation for the Wichita Eagle and Ducks Unlimited magazine. More by George Stanley / Wisconsin Watch
Richard Brown / Wisconsin Watch, Chief of Growth and Innovation
Richard Brown joined Wisconsin Watch in June 2024 and serves as our Chief Growth and Innovation Officer. A national media consultant who lives in the Milwaukee area, Brown has served as a contract coach for the News Revenue Hub’s Mission-Driven Advertising and Sponsorships Lab. He is a revenue sustainability coach for Local Independent Online News, an Emerging News Leadership coach for The City University of New York (CUNY), a monthly columnist for Editor & Publisher magazine and a contributing writer for Digital Content Next. He has served as senior director of retention for The Daily Beast. Brown held key positions leading digital engagement, sales and retention strategies for Gannett and the USA Today Network, for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and for LPi Liturgical Publications Inc. He is finance chair of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. More by Richard Brown / Wisconsin Watch
Cecilia Dobbs / Wisconsin Watch, Director of audience and membership
Cecilia Dobbs joined Wisconsin Watch as the director of audience and membership in October 2024. Her experience includes serving as vice president of US product at The Guardian and as director of digital strategy at Fox News, overseeing significant research, product and user experience developments. Recently, her work has focused on nonprofit and community-based participatory research, including roles like research and evaluation officer at Welsh Women’s Aid. More by Cecilia Dobbs / Wisconsin Watch
Lauren Fuhrmann / Wisconsin Watch, Chief revenue officer
Lauren Fuhrmann joined Wisconsin Watch in 2011 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Fuhrmann leads revenue development efforts as well as public engagement initiatives and assists with development of donors and writing of grant reports. Fuhrmann is vice president of the Madison Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She was among five young leaders in the inaugural group of “Future Headliners” honored in 2014 by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. More by Lauren Fuhrmann / Wisconsin Watch
Anna January / Wisconsin Watch, Director of philanthropy
Anna January joined Wisconsin Watch in November 2023 as the director of institutional giving. As the director of philanthropy, she oversees Wisconsin Watch’s institutional and major giving programs. She leads fundraising efforts to cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations and philanthropic organizations to generate sustainable funding to support the newsroom’s mission. She has previously worked in fundraising at PBS Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Division of the Arts, and Madison Children’s Museum. January has a background in philanthropy, arts administration, grants, and community development. She has a master’s degree in art history and communication studies from McGill University, where she also completed a Fulbright Research Scholarship. She is currently serving as president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Madison chapter and serves on the Madison Arts Commission. More by Anna January / Wisconsin Watch
Pete Trotter / Wisconsin Watch, Associate director of philanthropy
Pete Trotter joined Wisconsin Watch as the associate director of philanthropy in November 2024. In this role, Pete is involved in expanding charitable revenue, supporting major donor-giving and foundation partnerships. He previously worked for enFocus Inc., a consultancy that collaborates with nonprofits, industry and communities to drive economic impact. He is a graduate of Wabash College and a Fulbright program alum. More by Pete Trotter / Wisconsin Watch
Emmet Liston / Wisconsin Watch, Senior philanthropy officer
Emmet Liston started as senior philanthropy officer for Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service in September 2025, bringing over 14 years of experience of leadership in major gifts and planned giving. He will be helping expand our philanthropy in southeast Wisconsin. Prior to joining the team, he led all major and planned giving at Milwaukee PBS. He also held positions at Cream City Foundation, the Morbid Anatomy Museum, the International Museum of Surgical Science and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Emmet has a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied 19th century art and trained in classical painting. He serves on an advisory board for Mics for the Missing in Boston. Emmet is passionate about supporting investigative journalism that strengthens transparency, accountability and public trust.