Executive
Brent Jolly is the president of the Canadian Association of Journalists and the managing director of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada. He has worked as a journalist with a variety of news outlets both as a writer and editor. He regularly wears too many hats.
Fatima Syed is a reporter with The Narwhal’s Ontario bureau. She has worked for The Walrus, the Toronto Star, The Logic and National Observer. She is the recipient of the 2022 World Press Freedom Canada Award.
Cecil Rosner is an investigative journalist, media trainer and adjunct professor at the University of Winnipeg. He spent more than four decades in print and broadcast journalism. His writings include: When Justice Fails: the David Milgaard Story, and Behind the Headlines: a History of Investigative Journalism in Canada.
Julie Sobowale is a freelance journalist and lawyer based in Regina. Her work has appeared in the Canadian Bar Association magazine, American Bar Association magazine, Halifax magazine, Progress Magazine, The Coast and Alberta Views magazine.
Zane Schwartz is an award-winning investigative journalist and the editor-in-chief of the Investigative Journalism Foundation. He founded and leads the CAJ’s annual diversity survey, co-leads its mentorship program, and contributes to fights on press freedom issues like freeing jailed journalists.
Laurie Few is the Executive Producer of Digital at TVO. Formerly she held positions as Managing Editor at the National Observer, Director of Digital Content at CPAC, Executive Producer of Global New’s investigative current affairs show 16×9, and investigative Producer at CTV’s WFive. She started her career as a lawyer.
Paul Schneidereit is a senior columnist with the enterprise unit at The Chronicle Herald (SaltWire Network), in Halifax. A Montreal native, Paul has been at the Herald for 39 years.
Paul has been on the national board of the CAJ since September 1997. He served as CAJ president from 2003 to 2007. He’s currently CAJ treasurer.
Paula Tran is a reporter and digital coordinator for Global Calgary and 770 CHQR. She is passionate about diversity in the journalism industry and wants to help young journalists find their potential in their careers. When she’s not working, you can find her at a bookstore, cooking, or watching a documentary on Netflix.
Karyn (Pabàmàdiz) is an award winning and highly esteemed Indigenous journalist from the Pikwàkanagàn First Nation. She is the Editor in Chief of CanadaLand, an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University, and a board member of Canadian Journalists of for Free Expression.
Regional Directors
Patti Sonntag is an investigative journalist working with several news organizations and journalism centres. As founder of the Institute for Investigative Journalism, she led large-scale collaborative investigations that changed laws and policies nationwide. Previously she served as managing editor in The New York Times’ News Services division.
Katrina is an investigative reporter who joined the Winnipeg Free Press in 2022. Her work at the paper has been recognized for a number of awards, including a CAJ finalist recognition last year. She was born in Winnipeg but grew up in southern Ontario. Previously, she worked at the Hamilton Spectator, the Toronto Star and the Daily Gleaner in New Brunswick. In her spare time, she enjoys skijoring (cross country skiing + dog), playing volleyball and trying to grow a vegetable garden.
Jason Markusoff writes and edits at CBC Calgary. He’s reported in Alberta for nearly two decades, previously writing for Maclean’s, Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal. At CAJ, he’s most passionate about the CAJ Awards, the mentorship program and gathering with fellow journalists for hours and hours of shop talk.
Chapter Directors
Jenna Cocullo is editor of The Wire Report. She joined the publication in 2021, almost two years following the start of her career covering community news in Prince Rupert, B.C., and Chatham-Kent, ON. She also worked in Blantyre, Malawi, writing a weekly column for its national newspaper on the intersection of gender and politics, and interned at The Monitor magazine with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. She did her Master’s of Journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa after growing up in Montreal where she studied Communications and Anthropology.
Jameson Berkow is a business reporter for The Globe and Mail. He was previously an anchor for BNN Bloomberg (formerly the Business News Network) and a reporter for the Financial Post. Jameson got his start in journalism in 2007 as a fact-checker for Toronto Life magazine, where his first byline was for a story about two dogs getting married.
Staff
Monique Durette brings 20+ years of finance, admin, & leadership experience to the CAJ, holding a BA in Political Science with a focus on Women, Gender, and Indigenous Studies. In her spare time, she can be found working on her acreage with her husband. She is also a homeschooling mom with many passions and interests.
Hannah Bing comes to the CAJ with experience in journalism, a passion for data analysis and research. They hold a BJ(hons) in journalism and law and justice. She has written on topics that range from investigative, arts and news. In their spare time she can be found with her cat or listening to her extensive vinyl collection.
Interns & Research Assistants
Ways to join the CAJ team
Opportunities to join the CAJ team come up at various times throughout the year. From volunteering on committees, applying for internship, or running for a board position, the CAJ is happy to hear from folks who want to bring their unique skills and experience to the team. Click on one of the areas of interest below to find out about any open opportunities.
