Francisco Vara-Orta

Francisco Vara-Orta has a diverse work experience in journalism, with their most recent role as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) since September 2021. In this position, they focus on making journalism more inclusive through interactive training, rewriting curricula, and creating new courses to expand opportunities for underrepresented communities. Francisco also strengthens IRE's relationships with partner organizations and coaches journalists on cultural competence in their reporting, hiring, and retention approaches.

Before their current role, Francisco was the Training Director at IRE from February 2019 to September 2021, where they likely played a key role in developing and implementing training programs.

Prior to their time at IRE, Francisco worked as a National Reporter & Data Specialist at Chalkbeat from September 2018 to February 2019. Francisco covered education topics and likely used data-driven reporting and analysis in their work.

In 2017, Francisco was a Data Specialist & Staff Writer at Education Week, where they covered philanthropy, resources in schools, and parent/community involvement. Francisco also coached reporters and staffers on data usage.

Their earlier experiences include contributing writer roles at Education Week - EPE and Midwest Center For Investigative Reporting, as well as a researcher/reporter role at Investigative Reporters and Editors.

Francisco's career began at the San Antonio Express-News in 2011 as a Staff Writer, where they likely covered a range of topics.

Francisco also worked as a Staff Writer at the Austin Business Journal and the Los Angeles Business Journal, where they covered trade, transportation, manufacturing, and wrote a weekly column.

At the Los Angeles Times, Francisco worked as a Staff Writer from 2006 to 2008, covering various beats such as Higher Education/Religion, Health, Immigration, Latino communities, and Gay issues. Francisco participated in the METPRO training program and managed a blog on pets/animals for the Times.

Overall, Francisco Vara-Orta's work experience demonstrates their expertise in journalism, data-driven reporting, training development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the field.

Francisco Vara-Orta completed their education with a Master's Degree in Journalism, specializing in Data and Investigative Journalism, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. This educational achievement occurred from 2015 to 2017. Prior to that, Francisco obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from St. Mary's University, where they studied English/Communication Arts and Latin American Studies. This degree was acquired from 2002 to 2006. In addition to their formal education, Francisco also obtained a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from USF Corporate Training and Professional Education in January 2022.