Frankie Ortega
Writer. New Mexican in Houston. UC Berkeley school of journalism graduate and Houston Chronicle survivor.

Bio

Kara Francisca Ortega,

but you can call me Frankie.

 

I did not set out for a career in content development, social media, audience growth, engagement, and data journalism. When I graduated college this job simply did not exist, but it’s where my passions and talent took me.

I began my career at the Houston Chronicle with strong reporting and writing skills honed first as a cops reporter with the Albuquerque Journal, and then in the University of California, Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. As a deputy editor in the online department at the Houston Chronicle I learned how to craft a message for a particular audience on a number of platforms: multiple websites, social media and print. I learned how to use data to identify audiences, the issues it cares about and to develop a content strategy based on that information.

My ability to adapt to quickly changing technology or audiences, and my ability to learn new skills and then apply them creatively, allowed my career to flourish despite the many challenges facing journalists.

Professional Experience

  • Deputy Digital Editor, Planning and Special Projects, Houston Chronicle 2017 to 2019

    • Finalist Pulitzer Prize: Breaking news reporting, Harvey coverage, 2018

  • Senior Web Producer, Features, Houston Chronicle 2012 to 2017

    • Texas APME: Best online newspaper 2013

  • Web Producer, Houston Chronicle 2009 to 2012

  • Freelance Journalist, Houston Chronicle 2008 to 2009

  • Graduate Student, University of California, Berkeley Aug. 2005 to Dec. 2007

    • Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, 2005/2006

    • Goldman Prize for Excellence in International Reporting: 50 years after the death of Diego Rivera Mexican artists fight to keep painting alive

    • Masters project: Nicaraguan Dreams, Revolutionary Baggage

  • Intern, Associated Press June 2006 to Aug. 2006

  • Intern and Freelance Journalist, Albuquerque Journal June 2004 to Aug. 2005

Education

M.J. 2007 University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism

M.A. 2007 University of California, Berkeley, Latin American Studies

B.A. 2005 University of New Mexico, Communication and Journalism and Spanish

Volunteer Experience

  • English as a second language tutor, Tec de Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

  • Coach with Writers in the Schools, Berkeley High School, Berkeley, California

  • English tutor, University of California, Berkeley, California