Pressing Issues

Craig Aaron is the co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action and a guy with two first names.

Julio Ricardo Varela is the senior producer and strategist at Free Press. He is also a working journalist, columnist and nonprofit-media leader. He is a massive Red Sox, Knicks and Arsenal fan (what a combo).

Timothy Karr is the senior director of strategy and communications at Free Press. He’s worked as a photojournalist, foreign correspondent and editor for major news outlets. His commentary has appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers worldwide.

Nora Benavidez leads Free Press’ democracy and tech initiatives to curb disinformation, hate and other manipulation online while protecting digital civil rights, privacy and free expression.

Jessica J. González is an attorney and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action, where she leads efforts to transform the media system so it can support a just and multiracial democracy.

Vanessa Maria Graber is the journalism and media education director at Free Press. She creates resources for newsrooms and trains journalists about civic-journalism best practices, community engagement and meeting community-information needs.

Cristina Escobar is the senior director of marketing and communications at Free Press. She’s also a cultural critic and the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Latina Media Co, an indie outlet platforming Latina and queer Latinx perspectives.

Jenna Ruddock supports Free Press’ policy, legal and communications work across issue areas, with a focus on technology, surveillance, digital civil rights and dissent.

Ruth Livier is a campaign manager at Free Press. She focuses on community engagement to co-construct a safe, fair and equitable media ecosystem. Ruth has more than 20 years’ experience of fighting for media equity in the entertainment industry.