Writer, Media Literacy Advocate, NAMLE Board Member, Former Global Tech Policy Leader
What do you do?
I spent 15 years in global public policy, working at the intersection of tech, trust and safety, and information equity. Most recently, I founded Meta’s global information ecosystem program, which focused on improving content quality, reducing information gaps, and supporting media literacy education around the world. Over three years, we partnered with NGOs, government and UN agencies, educators, and community organizations in more than 180 countries to make trustworthy information more accessible during critical moments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, elections, natural disasters, and war.
Today, I’m focused on continuing this work in a more direct and platform-agnostic way. Through my newsletter, Feed for Thought, I explore the connections between online creators and trust, and how online culture both shapes and reflects our values as a society. I also support subject matter experts who want to participate more actively in today’s media environment and build public trust, especially in ways that align with their values and serve the public good.
Tell us about your latest work or project in media literacy.
The work I’m proudest of is centered around coalition building to improve media literacy access for underserved communities. Over my career, in addition to NAMLE, I’ve partnered with organizations like AARP, Rainbow Coalition, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Mi Familia Vota, the National Congress of American Indians, MediaWise, and PEN America to host listening sessions and co-create educational programs rooted in real-world needs. These efforts helped build trust, empower overlooked voices, and serve as a model for community-first media literacy work in the US and abroad.
Why is media literacy important to you?
After years of working inside tech platforms and advocating for policy change, I understand deeply the limitations of relying on platform content moderation and waiting for misinformation regulation. While systemic change is essential, it’s not enough on its own.
That’s where media literacy comes in. It equips people with the tools to navigate today’s fast, fragmented media environment, and to make informed choices in the absence of perfect systems. Media literacy isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s one of the most essential building blocks of a healthy, resilient democracy and society.
What are you most excited about in the media literacy field?
We live in a moment where passive media consumption no longer exists; every view, click, and share is part of a larger feedback loop. That means we’re not just media consumers, but also active participants in shaping what gets amplified and who gets heard. I find that shift in agency both hopeful and urgent. It’s a reminder that media literacy isn’t just about critical thinking and identifying misinformation. It’s about a shared responsibility to shape the media landscape we want to live in and uplifting the kind of content we value.
Why did you become a NAMLE member, what benefits do you see to membership, and how will it support your work?
I first connected with NAMLE as a funder and was immediately drawn to its educator-centered, impact-driven approach – especially the way it builds community and designs programs around real-world needs rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Now, as a board member, I’ve seen up close the care, integrity, and thoughtfulness that Donnell and the team bring to everything they do. It’s a privilege to support this community of educators, who remain the heart of the media literacy movement and are driving real change in helping students navigate and shape the media environments they’re growing up in.
The views and opinions expressed in the M-Passioned Member blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NAMLE or its members. The purpose of the M-Passioned Member blog is to highlight our members and give them a place to share their reflections, opinions, and ideas.