ProPublica announced on Tuesday that Rocio Ortega is joining its staff as events associate supporting ProPublica’s live digital and in-person experiences for audiences in the Midwest, South and Southwest, as the newsroom expands its local initiatives. Ortega will work with director of marketing Cynthia Gordy Giwa, along with reporters and editors, to develop engaging, impactful events and programs that bring ProPublica’s investigative journalism to life.

Ortega was most recently a member of the Chicago Literacy Alliance, where she produced events that increased equitable access to resources and created pathways to greater civic fluency, personal agency and progress for Chicago’s communities.

She has spent over five years in Chicago’s nonprofit sector working in literacy, education and cultural exchange. Ortega previously served as a mentor for GirlForward, a community of support dedicated to creating and enhancing opportunities for girls who have been displaced by conflict and persecution. She has also completed the Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corps program, which trains young leaders in community investment, creative storytelling and equity-driven project management.

“Rocio’s skills in community-centered, informative programming are a great addition to ProPublica as we seek to engage diverse audiences with innovative events,” Giwa said.

“I am thrilled to join ProPublica and be a part of its legacy of investigative journalism that spurs real world impact,” Ortega said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to engage ProPublica’s local networks and expand our community partnerships through the cultivation of authentic and meaningful relationships.”