Staff
Reporters
Adelle M. Banks
Production Editor & National Reporter
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Adelle M. Banks
Adelle M. Banks is the projects editor and a national reporter for RNS, covering topics including religion and race, the faith of African Americans and partnerships between government and religious groups.
An award-winning journalist, Banks joined Religion News Service in 1995. She previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton. Banks spearheaded an RNS project on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington that won a 2014 Wilbur Award from the Religion Communicators Council. She also spearheaded RNS’ coverage of the life and legacy of Billy Graham that resulted in a comprehensive package of stories, commentaries, photos and video. Banks was a third-place winner in the Religion Newswriters Association’s Religion Reporter of the Year contest in 2011 and 1998. She also has received first-place Associated Church Press awards in news, convention, photography and multimedia categories. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, Christian Century, Christianity Today, Jet, BlackVoices.com, Sojourners, Mount Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly, Nieman Reports and the 2006 book “Good News: The Best Religion Writing in North America.”
Banks is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. A former board member of the Religion News Foundation, she is a public speaker on religion reporting at gatherings of students, scholars, journalists and other communicators.
An award-winning journalist, Banks joined Religion News Service in 1995. She previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton. Banks spearheaded an RNS project on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington that won a 2014 Wilbur Award from the Religion Communicators Council. She also spearheaded RNS’ coverage of the life and legacy of Billy Graham that resulted in a comprehensive package of stories, commentaries, photos and video. Banks was a third-place winner in the Religion Newswriters Association’s Religion Reporter of the Year contest in 2011 and 1998. She also has received first-place Associated Church Press awards in news, convention, photography and multimedia categories. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, Christian Century, Christianity Today, Jet, BlackVoices.com, Sojourners, Mount Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly, Nieman Reports and the 2006 book “Good News: The Best Religion Writing in North America.”
Banks is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. A former board member of the Religion News Foundation, she is a public speaker on religion reporting at gatherings of students, scholars, journalists and other communicators.
Bob Smietana
National Reporter
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Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a national reporter for RNS based near Chicago, covering evangelicals, weird religion and the changing religious landscape. He is the author of “Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.”
Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for RNS and contributor to OnFaith, USA Today and The Washington Post. He is best known for his coverage of Islam and Islamophobia, including his comprehensive reporting on the Murfreesboro mosque conflict, and of evangelical Christianity, including the emotional journey of Pearl Joy Brown’s family as well as the Willow Creek Community Church scandal.
Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for RNS and contributor to OnFaith, USA Today and The Washington Post. He is best known for his coverage of Islam and Islamophobia, including his comprehensive reporting on the Murfreesboro mosque conflict, and of evangelical Christianity, including the emotional journey of Pearl Joy Brown’s family as well as the Willow Creek Community Church scandal.
Yonat Shimron
National Reporter & Senior Editor
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Yonat Shimron
Yonat Shimron is a senior editor at RNS and a North Carolina-based reporter covering Judaism, the South's changing religious landscape and the growing nonreligious divide.
Yonat Shimron joined RNS in April 2011 and became managing editor in 2013. She was the religion reporter for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. from 1996 to 2011. During that time she won numerous awards. She is a past president of the Religion Newswriters Association.
Yonat Shimron joined RNS in April 2011 and became managing editor in 2013. She was the religion reporter for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. from 1996 to 2011. During that time she won numerous awards. She is a past president of the Religion Newswriters Association.
Emily McFarlan Miller
National Reporter
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Emily McFarlan Miller
Emily McFarlan Miller is a national reporter for RNS based in Chicago, covering mainline Protestant Christianity and alternative faiths.
Before joining RNS in 2016, she won awards for her work as education reporter at The Courier-News in Elgin, Illinois, and digital editor for social media and engagement at the Chicago Sun-Times. Her reporting and photography have appeared in publications like the New York Times, the Washington Post and Christianity Today, as well as on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She graduated with honors from the journalism department at New York University and has a master’s degree in intercultural studies from NAIITS (formerly the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies).
Before joining RNS in 2016, she won awards for her work as education reporter at The Courier-News in Elgin, Illinois, and digital editor for social media and engagement at the Chicago Sun-Times. Her reporting and photography have appeared in publications like the New York Times, the Washington Post and Christianity Today, as well as on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She graduated with honors from the journalism department at New York University and has a master’s degree in intercultural studies from NAIITS (formerly the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies).
Jack Jenkins
National Reporter
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Jack Jenkins
Jack Jenkins is a national reporter for RNS based in Washington, covering the intersection of religion and politics as well as U.S. Catholics. He is the author of “American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country.”
Before joining RNS in 2018, Jenkins was senior religion reporter at the Washington-based ThinkProgress. Jenkins was an RNS reporting intern in 2011 and later blogged for RNS. His work has appeared or been referenced in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, MSNBC and elsewhere. After graduating from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and religion/philosophy, Jack received his Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University with a focus on Christianity, Islam and the media. Jenkins is based in Washington, D.C.
Before joining RNS in 2018, Jenkins was senior religion reporter at the Washington-based ThinkProgress. Jenkins was an RNS reporting intern in 2011 and later blogged for RNS. His work has appeared or been referenced in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, MSNBC and elsewhere. After graduating from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and religion/philosophy, Jack received his Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University with a focus on Christianity, Islam and the media. Jenkins is based in Washington, D.C.
Claire Giangravè
Vatican Reporter
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Claire Giangravè
Claire Giangravè is a Rome-based reporter for RNS, covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican.
Before joining RNS in 2019, Giangravè was at Crux Catholic Media Inc., where she served as a faith and culture correspondent. She also previously worked at CNBC/Class Editori, ForexInfo.it, PBS and MSNBC News. She received her bachelor’s degree from Roma Tre University and her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Claire speaks Italian, English and French.
Before joining RNS in 2019, Giangravè was at Crux Catholic Media Inc., where she served as a faith and culture correspondent. She also previously worked at CNBC/Class Editori, ForexInfo.it, PBS and MSNBC News. She received her bachelor’s degree from Roma Tre University and her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Claire speaks Italian, English and French.
Alejandra Molina
National Reporter
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Alejandra Molina
Alejandra Molina is a national reporter for RNS based in Los Angeles, covering faith and religion, with a focus on Latinos along the West Coast.
Before joining RNS in 2019, Molina served as Journalist in Residence at the University of Southern California (USC) and as Equitable Cities Fellow at Next City. Previously, she was a reporter for the Southern California News Group where she covered cities, immigration, race and religion for newspapers like The Orange County Register, The Press-Enterprise in Riverside and The Los Angeles Daily News. In 2018, she was named one of the 15 most influential Latina journalists by Latino Journalists of California. She has also received fellowships from the Center for Health Journalism at USC and the Institute for Justice and Journalism. Alejandra is a native Spanish speaker. She received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of La Verne.
Before joining RNS in 2019, Molina served as Journalist in Residence at the University of Southern California (USC) and as Equitable Cities Fellow at Next City. Previously, she was a reporter for the Southern California News Group where she covered cities, immigration, race and religion for newspapers like The Orange County Register, The Press-Enterprise in Riverside and The Los Angeles Daily News. In 2018, she was named one of the 15 most influential Latina journalists by Latino Journalists of California. She has also received fellowships from the Center for Health Journalism at USC and the Institute for Justice and Journalism. Alejandra is a native Spanish speaker. She received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of La Verne.
Kathryn Post
Reporter
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Kathryn Post
Kathryn Post is a Pittsburgh-based reporter for RNS covering topics such as Gen Z spirituality, pop culture and abuse in religious contexts.
Before joining RNS in 2021, she earned a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale University. She interned at RNS in 2020 and has degrees in writing and political science from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Sojourners, the Christian Century, Broadview Magazine and more.
Before joining RNS in 2021, she earned a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale University. She interned at RNS in 2020 and has degrees in writing and political science from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Sojourners, the Christian Century, Broadview Magazine and more.
Correspondents
Fredrick Nzwili
Nairobi, Kenya
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Fredrick Nzwili
Fredrick Nzwili is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more than 15 years, he has written about religion, politics, peace and conflict, development, security, environment and wildlife. His articles have appeared in international media organizations, including The Tablet, The Christian Science Monitor, The National Geographic and Kenyan local newspapers; The Standard and the People Daily. He holds two degrees from the University of Nairobi – a bachelor’s degree in sociology and literature and a post-graduate diploma in mass communication. He is married and has two daughters.
Michele Chabin
Jerusalem
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Michele Chabin
RNS Middle East correspondent Michele Chabin has covered events in the region for two decades. In addition to her work at RNS, Chabin writes regularly for the New York Jewish Week and National Catholic Register and is a contributor to USA Today and numerous other publications. She has won several awards from the American Jewish Press Association for Jewish journalism (including one for a first-hand account of the evacuation of Jewish, Muslim and Christian residents from war-torn Sarajevo) as well as first-place honors from the Catholic Press Association. A graduate of Brandeis University, Chabin was awarded a British Chevening Scholarship and Press Fellowship at Cambridge University, England. The home she shared during the fellowship contained a Hindu, a Sikh, two Muslims, a Jew, an Orthodox Christian and a Catholic, “a harmony that deepened my love for religion-based reporting,” she says.
Columnists
Jeffrey Salkin
Column: Martini Judaism
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin is the rabbi of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the author of numerous books on Jewish spirituality and ethics, published by Jewish Lights Publishing and Jewish Publication Society.
Thomas Reese
Column: Signs of the Times
The Rev. Thomas J. Reese, a Jesuit priest, is a Senior Analyst at RNS. Previously he was a columnist at the National Catholic Reporter (2015-17) and an associate editor (1978-85) and editor in chief (1998-2005) at America magazine. He was also a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University (1985-98 & 2006-15) where he wrote Archbishop, A Flock of Shepherds, and Inside the Vatican. Earlier he worked as a lobbyist for tax reform. He has a doctorate in political science from the University of California Berkeley. He entered the Jesuits in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1974 after receiving a M.Div from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.
Jana Riess
Column: Flunking Sainthood
Jana Riess, a senior columnist at Religion News Service, has been an editor in the publishing industry since 2008, primarily focusing in the areas of religion, history, popular culture, ethics, and biblical studies. (Learn more about her freelance editorial business and rates here.) From 1999 to 2008, she was the Religion Book Review Editor for Publishers Weekly, and continues to write freelance articles and reviews for PW as well as other publications.
She holds degrees in religion from Wellesley College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in American religious history from Columbia University. She speaks often to media about issues pertaining to religion in America, and has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Time, Newsweek, People, The Boston Globe, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and Newsday, among other print publications, as well as “Voice of America,” the “Today” show, MSNBC, and NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “Tell Me More,” and “Talk of the Nation.”
She is the author, co-author, or editor of books including Mormonism and American Politics; The Twible: All the Chapters of the Bible in 140 Characters or Less . . . Now with 68% More Humor!; Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor; What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as a Spiritual Guide; Mormonism for Dummies; and The Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published. She blogged for Beliefnet before coming to RNS in 2012.
She holds degrees in religion from Wellesley College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in American religious history from Columbia University. She speaks often to media about issues pertaining to religion in America, and has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Time, Newsweek, People, The Boston Globe, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and Newsday, among other print publications, as well as “Voice of America,” the “Today” show, MSNBC, and NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “Tell Me More,” and “Talk of the Nation.”
She is the author, co-author, or editor of books including Mormonism and American Politics; The Twible: All the Chapters of the Bible in 140 Characters or Less . . . Now with 68% More Humor!; Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor; What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as a Spiritual Guide; Mormonism for Dummies; and The Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published. She blogged for Beliefnet before coming to RNS in 2012.
Khyati Y. Joshi
Column: Living Religion
Khyati Y. Joshi lives at the intersection of race and religion, personally and professionally. She is a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the co-founder of the Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice, which provides professional development on diversity, equity, and justice. Growing up as a brown Hindu girl in Atlanta, Georgia, shaped Khyati’s scholarship: she is the author or editor of seven books, including "White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America," "Envisioning Religion, Race and Asian America," and "Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. Her website is khyatijoshi.com, and she can be contacted on Twitter @ProfKJoshi.
Mark Silk
Column: Spiritual Politics
Mark Silk graduated from Harvard College in 1972 and earned his Ph.D. in medieval history from Harvard University in 1982. After teaching at Harvard in the Department of History and Literature for three years, he became editor of the Boston Review.
In 1987 he joined the staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he worked variously as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist.
In 1996 he became the founding director of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity College and in 1998 founding editor of Religion in the News, a magazine published by the Center that examines how the news media handle religious subject matter. In 2005, he was named director of the Trinity College Program on Public Values, comprising both the Greenberg Center and a new Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture directed by Barry Kosmin. In 2007, he became Professor of Religion in Public Life at the College.
Professor Silk is the author of “Spiritual Politics: Religion and America Since World War II” and “Unsecular Media: Making News of Religion in America.” He is co-editor of “Religion by Region,” an eight-volume series on religion and public life in the United States, and co-author of “The American Establishment,” “Making Capitalism Work,” and “One Nation Divisible: How Regional Religious Differences Shape American Politics.” He inaugurated “Spiritual Politics” in 2007. In 2014 he became Religion News Service Contributing Editor.
In 1987 he joined the staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he worked variously as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist.
In 1996 he became the founding director of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity College and in 1998 founding editor of Religion in the News, a magazine published by the Center that examines how the news media handle religious subject matter. In 2005, he was named director of the Trinity College Program on Public Values, comprising both the Greenberg Center and a new Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture directed by Barry Kosmin. In 2007, he became Professor of Religion in Public Life at the College.
Professor Silk is the author of “Spiritual Politics: Religion and America Since World War II” and “Unsecular Media: Making News of Religion in America.” He is co-editor of “Religion by Region,” an eight-volume series on religion and public life in the United States, and co-author of “The American Establishment,” “Making Capitalism Work,” and “One Nation Divisible: How Regional Religious Differences Shape American Politics.” He inaugurated “Spiritual Politics” in 2007. In 2014 he became Religion News Service Contributing Editor.
Andre Henry
Column: Written in Protest
Andre Henry is program manager for the Racial Justice Institute at Christians for Social Action. He is the author of “All The White Friends I Couldn’t Keep” and writes a weekly email. He is also host of a podcast called "Hope & Hard Pills," sharing insight on anti-racism and social change. Andre is an award-winning singer-songwriter, specializing in soulful, intelligent alternative R&B music at the intersection of electronica, pop and rock, with a dash of Caribbean flare. He has a Master of Arts in Theology, with an emphasis in Biblical Languages from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Andre is a student of nonviolent struggle and social change, including studying leadership in nonviolent movements for social change through the Harvard Kennedy School. He specializes in using digital media to educate and mobilize audiences for racial justice and social progress.
Andre is a student of nonviolent struggle and social change, including studying leadership in nonviolent movements for social change through the Harvard Kennedy School. He specializes in using digital media to educate and mobilize audiences for racial justice and social progress.
Omar Suleiman
Column: Islam Beyond Phobia
The Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman is a world renowned scholar and theologically driven activist for human rights. He is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an adjunct professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies program at Southern Methodist University. He's also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith coalition of clergy for peace and justice. In addition to being recognized by CNN as one of 25 Muslim American changemakers, Suleiman is included in The Muslim 500 - an annual ranking of the world's most influential Muslims compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. In 2019, the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University and Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives recognized Suleiman among 200 honorees who embody the legacy of the abolitionist’s commitment to social change. He is a native of New Orleans, and currently resides in Dallas with his wife and 3 children.
Karen Swallow Prior
Column: One Eye Squinted
Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of several books, including On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018). Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things and Vox, among others. She and her husband live on a 100-year old homestead in central Virginia with sundry horses, dogs and chickens. And lots of books.
Simran Jeet Singh
Column: Articles of Faith
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program and author of The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life (Riverhead, Penguin Random House). Recognized among TIME Magazine’s sixteen people fighting for a more equal America, he is a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, Senior Adviser on Equity and Inclusion for YSC Consulting, and a Visiting Professor at Union Seminary. Simran is a regular contributor to TIME, CNN, and The Washington Post, a monthly columnist for Religion News Service, and the author of the bestselling children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going. He lives with his family in New York City.
Charles C. Camosy
Column: Purple Catholicism
Charlie Camosy, a native of rural Wisconsin, is a professor of medical humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine and holds the Monsignor Curran Fellowship in Moral Theology at St. Joseph Seminary in New York. He is the author of five books, including, most recently, "Resisting Throwaway Culture." He is the father of four children, three of whom were adopted from the Philippines.
Jonathan Merritt
Column: On Faith and Culture
Jonathan Merritt is one of America's most trusted and popular writers on religion, culture, and politics. He is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor and syndicated monthly columnist for Religion News Service. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books including 'Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing - and How We Can Revive Them.'
Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, PBS, and CBS' '60 Minutes.' As a collaborator or ghostwriter, Jonathan has worked on more than 50 books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists.
Jonathan holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and has done additional graduate studis in ascetical theology at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Wilbur Award for excellence in journalism, the Religion News Association’s columnist of the year award, and the Englewood Review of Books 'Book of the Year' award.
Jonathan currently resides in New York City.
Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, PBS, and CBS' '60 Minutes.' As a collaborator or ghostwriter, Jonathan has worked on more than 50 books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists.
Jonathan holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and has done additional graduate studis in ascetical theology at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Wilbur Award for excellence in journalism, the Religion News Association’s columnist of the year award, and the Englewood Review of Books 'Book of the Year' award.
Jonathan currently resides in New York City.
Candice Marie Benbow
Column: Faithfully Feminist
Candice Marie Benbow is a public theologian and columnist for Religion News Service. She has published in various outlets including ESSENCE, Ebony, Glamour, Huff Post, Shondaland and ELLE. On projects at the intersection of faith and gender equity, she's collaborated with organizations such as the MeToo Movement, The Gates Foundation, Netflix and The Ad Council. Candice is the author of “Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough.” She and her beloved beagle, Charlie, call metro Atlanta home.
Operations
Else Owen
Executive Operations Specialist
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Else Owen
Executive Operations Specialist
Else Owen works with RNF/RNS as the Executive Operations Specialist for the CEO, as well as support for the operations team. Her background is in administration and management in corporate banking, as well as social media marketing and creative services for small businesses. She currently works with RNF/RNS by assisting Deborah Caldwell in day-to-day systems, supporting the operations group on foundation-level projects, and most recently, participating in the Religion News Service Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee. She is based in Eagan, Minnesota.
Ron Ribiat
Accounts Manager
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Brian Gonzales
Web Developer
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Brian Gonzales
Web Developer
Brian Gonzales is a self-taught, multilingual web developer with a background in sciences and education. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2017 and since then has been working internationally. He has been always tech-oriented since a young age and has always consistently learned new skills to achieve his goals. His main background in technology focused mainly on Ruby on Rails, React.js, PostgreSQL databases, and WordPress development.
Kaylah House
Social Media Manager
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Kaylah House
Social Media Manager
Kaylah House is Social Media Manager at Religion News Service. She oversees RNS's social accounts, specifically: daily scheduling on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; weekly quiz creation; creating and sending RNS's daily and weekly newsletters; and launching new products on social media to attract new audiences. She is a 2022 graduate of University of Georgia, with Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication from the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication with a minor in Communication and a Sports Media Certificate.
Jonathan Woodward
Podcast Producer
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Jonathan Woodward
Podcast Producer
Jonathan Woodward serves as Podcast Producer at Religion News Service. He manages the Saved by the City podcast, including showrunning, editing and marketing, as well as strategic podcast thinking for the organization.
Jonathan is an audio news and ideas producer with an extensive background in content development and public media news production. His work has been featured on Religion News Service, Google Assistant, NPR, local NPR member stations, HBO, NBC, FOX, and live venues from New York to London. Woodward attended New York University and is a former performer on international stages, screen, film and audio fiction. He obtained a Master’s in Public Media Journalism from Fordham University and heads Bluejay Atlantic, which specializes in immersive, audio storytelling and journalism.
Jonathan is an audio news and ideas producer with an extensive background in content development and public media news production. His work has been featured on Religion News Service, Google Assistant, NPR, local NPR member stations, HBO, NBC, FOX, and live venues from New York to London. Woodward attended New York University and is a former performer on international stages, screen, film and audio fiction. He obtained a Master’s in Public Media Journalism from Fordham University and heads Bluejay Atlantic, which specializes in immersive, audio storytelling and journalism.
Editors
Paul O’Donnell
Editor-in-Chief
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Paul O’Donnell
Paul O’Donnell is the editor in chief of Religion News Service, leading the RNS journalists and editors, and directing RNS news coverage and opinion columns.
Paul O’Donnell has served as editor for a variety of news organizations, including Newsweek, Condé Nast, CNBC, and Washingtonian magazine. He has also reported on politics, religion, and culture for national publications such as Huffington Post, Slate, Wired, Commonweal magazine, and others. In 2000, O’Donnell helped found the award-winning religion news and opinion website, Beliefnet.com, serving as one of the original channel editors. During his tenure, O’Donnell created the annual “Beliefnet at the Oscars” and “Beliefnet Book of the Year” franchises, as well as a virtual roundtable series. O’Donnell was later hired to reinvent and revive front-of-book at House & Garden and relaunched the magazine website, quadrupling the website’s traffic in six months. As an editor at CNBC, O’Donnell launched or relaunched multiple channels of the financial news organization’s website and oversaw daily news coverage for those sections.
Based in Annapolis, Maryland, O’Donnell is the author of “Man Up! 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy.” He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Chicago.
Paul O’Donnell has served as editor for a variety of news organizations, including Newsweek, Condé Nast, CNBC, and Washingtonian magazine. He has also reported on politics, religion, and culture for national publications such as Huffington Post, Slate, Wired, Commonweal magazine, and others. In 2000, O’Donnell helped found the award-winning religion news and opinion website, Beliefnet.com, serving as one of the original channel editors. During his tenure, O’Donnell created the annual “Beliefnet at the Oscars” and “Beliefnet Book of the Year” franchises, as well as a virtual roundtable series. O’Donnell was later hired to reinvent and revive front-of-book at House & Garden and relaunched the magazine website, quadrupling the website’s traffic in six months. As an editor at CNBC, O’Donnell launched or relaunched multiple channels of the financial news organization’s website and oversaw daily news coverage for those sections.
Based in Annapolis, Maryland, O’Donnell is the author of “Man Up! 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy.” He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Chicago.
Roxanne Stone
Managing Editor
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Roxanne Stone
Roxanne Stone is the managing editor for Religion News Service, overseeing the daily operations of the newsroom. She is also the co-host of the RNS, award-winning podcast Saved By the City.
Before coming to RNS in 2019, Stone served as editor in chief for Barna Group, a social research firm focusing on religion in America. While there she led the creation of a new product line of monographs, as well as the acquisition and development of several trade books. She previously served as editorial director for Relevant Media Group, where she oversaw the production of three magazines and daily online operations. She also regularly wrote for the magazine, including an award-winning article on faith-based relief efforts in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. Stone was previously an online editor at Christianity Today International and a book editor and curriculum developer at Group Publishing. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colorado State University.
Stone is based in New York City.
Before coming to RNS in 2019, Stone served as editor in chief for Barna Group, a social research firm focusing on religion in America. While there she led the creation of a new product line of monographs, as well as the acquisition and development of several trade books. She previously served as editorial director for Relevant Media Group, where she oversaw the production of three magazines and daily online operations. She also regularly wrote for the magazine, including an award-winning article on faith-based relief efforts in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. Stone was previously an online editor at Christianity Today International and a book editor and curriculum developer at Group Publishing. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colorado State University.
Stone is based in New York City.
Mary Gladstone
Copy Editor
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Mary Gladstone
Mary Gladstone joined Religion News Service as a copy editor in 2013. She also serves as an assistant editor for ReligionLink, an online resource to help journalists cover religion-related stories for the secular media. Gladstone is a freelance writer and editor whose clients also include The Dallas Morning News, where she previously was an assistant metro editor.
Gladstone lives near Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked for the Abilene Reporter-News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as well.
Gladstone lives near Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked for the Abilene Reporter-News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as well.
Kerry Staurseth
Copy Editor
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Kerry Staurseth
Kerry Staurseth joined Religion News Service as a copy editor in 2019. She has previously taught English overseas and stateside and is a member of the New York Writer's Guild. She enjoys adjunct teaching and tutoring for nearby universities, as well as volunteering at a local arts center. She holds a master's degree and bachelor's degree from North Park University and the University of Wisconsin. Staurseth lives in Chicago with her family and dogs.
Kit Doyle
Photo/Multimedia Editor
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Kit Doyle
Kit Doyle has been with Religion News Service since 2016 and is the photo and multimedia editor, illustrating the daily news stories and opinion columns. He enjoys figuring out the best ways to visually tell stories.
Doyle earned a B.J. in Photojournalism and a B.A. in Spanish from Mizzou, and holds a Masters of Education from UMSL. Based in Kansas City, Doyle has worked as a photojournalist, photo editor and Director of Photography at the Southeast Missourian newspaper and the Columbia Daily Tribune newspaper. Doyle previously taught high school science and photography classes in Kansas City. His editorial and freelance photography has appeared in various publications and professional websites.
Doyle earned a B.J. in Photojournalism and a B.A. in Spanish from Mizzou, and holds a Masters of Education from UMSL. Based in Kansas City, Doyle has worked as a photojournalist, photo editor and Director of Photography at the Southeast Missourian newspaper and the Columbia Daily Tribune newspaper. Doyle previously taught high school science and photography classes in Kansas City. His editorial and freelance photography has appeared in various publications and professional websites.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish