The Press Democrat
Sofia Englund is an accomplished media and communications professional with a diverse background in digital strategy, production, and public relations. Currently serving as the Director of Digital Strategy at The Press Democrat, Sofia develops and implements engaging digital content strategies for key areas in Sonoma and Napa counties. Previously, as a Digital Editor, Sofia contributed to Pulitzer-winning coverage of the 2017 Northern California wildfires. At Abuela Luna Pictures, Sofia has produced Emmy-nominated films and hosted programs on PBS and NPR. Other experiences include serving as PR & Communications Manager for The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, contributing to PORT Magazine, and working with organizations focused on social justice and sustainable development. Sofia holds bachelor's degrees in International Politics and Social Anthropology from SOAS University of London and Stockholm University, respectively.
This person is not in any teams
This person is not in any offices
The Press Democrat
The very first newspaper in Santa Rosa, the parent of today's Press Democrat, was begun in 1857, just three years after Santa Rosa was chosen as the seat of Sonoma County and seven years after California became a part of the United States. Called the Sonoma Democrat this newspaper was a four-page weekly. Its name reflected the politicsof the Santa Rosa and Russian River valleys, which were settled in the 1840s and '50s by farmers from Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. The founding publisher was Alpheus Russell, a merchant with some newspaper experience who came to open a general store on Third Street. John Taylor, a prosperous rancher south of the new town, encouraged Russell to establish the paper, giving him a five-dollar gold piece for the first subscription. At the end of a year, Russell sold the paper to printer E.R. Budd, who sold it again in 1860. The new owner was Thomas Thompson, a young Virginian who had edited Petaluma's Sonoma County Journal five years earlier at the age of 17.