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.

 

Professional Experience

  • Marketing Director, Discovery Green Conservancy 2023- present

  • Marketing Manager, Discovery Green Conservancy 2019 - 2023

  • 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

Leadership Houston alum, Class XLII

Rice University Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives

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