Tell us about your organization. How big is your team? Where are you based? What is your organization’s specialty in the film and video space?
AccuWeather is a global weather media and technology organization headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, with a team of meteorologists, journalists, producers, videographers and digital media professionals. Its specialty is delivering timely, accurate weather information and compelling weather-related storytelling across television, digital platforms and social media. The organization produces original video, forecasts and on-the-ground reporting during major weather events, reaching audiences across the U.S. and around the world.
Why do you do what you do? Was there a transformative moment that solidified your career choice, your org’s success, or your commitment to storytelling?
A powerful story can make people stop, pay attention and care. My career in journalism has given me the opportunity to meet people in some of the most challenging and unexpected moments of their lives and share their experiences with a much larger audience.
Covering severe weather was particularly transformative. Being on the ground as communities faced dangerous storms, flooding and other disasters showed me the responsibility that comes with telling these stories. It reinforced for me that journalism is about more than delivering information. It is about giving people a voice, helping audiences understand what is happening around them and, when possible, helping people stay informed and safe.
That experience strengthened my commitment to telling stories that are immediate, human and meaningful, whether they are about breaking news or extreme weather.
Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?
The winning coverage came from the devastating floods in Kerr County, Texas, where catastrophic flooding swept through communities along the Guadalupe River, including Camp Mystic and other campgrounds in the area.
I was on the ground providing live coverage as the scope of the disaster unfolded. What began as a weather story quickly became a deeply human one. Families were searching for loved ones, communities were grappling with unimaginable loss, and emergency crews were working around the clock to reach people in areas impacted by the flooding.
Being there in person allowed me to show viewers the scale of the destruction, the urgency of the rescue efforts and the people living through it. The challenge was telling those stories accurately and responsibly while information was changing by the minute.
Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?
There was very little separation between gathering the story and telling it. Behind the scenes, it meant constantly moving between locations, coordinating with the newsroom, finding the latest information and preparing for the next live hit, all while seeing the impact of the flooding firsthand. Some of the most powerful moments were not necessarily the ones that made it into the final coverage, but the conversations with people in the community who stopped to share what they had experienced.
What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?
One of the biggest challenges was simply getting into the disaster zone and staying connected once we were there. In the aftermath of severe flooding, roads were damaged or blocked, access to certain areas was limited and conditions could change quickly. At the same time, cell service was extremely limited, making it difficult to communicate with the newsroom, access information or coordinate logistics in real time.
We had to be resourceful and flexible. I relied on available communication methods, stayed in close contact with local officials and first responders when possible, and constantly reassessed how and where we could safely move. Once on the ground, I focused on gathering firsthand information and telling the story with the information we could verify, even when normal reporting infrastructure was unavailable.
What are you most proud of about this piece? What is the most memorable response you got from this work?
I am most proud of what our small team was able to accomplish with limited resources in an incredibly challenging environment. Disaster coverage requires constant collaboration, and everyone had to be willing to adapt, problem-solve and step outside of their usual roles to get the story told. There was a real sense of teamwork behind every live hit, interview and piece of video that made it to the audience.
What I remember most is not one specific reaction, but hearing from people who said our coverage helped them understand what was happening on the ground. Knowing that we were able to bring the reality of what was happening in Kerr County to people watching from across the country, despite all of the obstacles we faced, is what makes this piece especially meaningful to me.
You won a Telly Award for this piece. Why is recognition important for you, your team or your work?
Winning a Telly Award is meaningful because it recognizes the work that goes on behind the scenes to tell an important story, especially under difficult circumstances. This coverage took a tremendous amount of teamwork, long hours and adaptability, and the award is a reflection of the entire team that helped make it possible.
For me, the recognition is also a reminder of why this work matters. Covering a disaster like the Kerr County floods comes with a tremendous responsibility to be accurate, compassionate and present for the people whose lives have been changed. Knowing that the work resonated with the Telly judges is an honor and reinforces my commitment to continuing to tell meaningful stories with care and purpose.
Tell us what you’re up to! If there’s a new project, launch, or milestone you’d like us to celebrate with you, let us know, and we might share it with our community.
I recently began a new chapter in my journalism career, joining NBC Bay Area as a general assignment reporter. After spending the past several years traveling across the country covering severe weather and breaking news, I’m excited to now be reporting from the Bay Area and telling stories in a new community.
I’m continuing to focus on the kind of reporting I’m most passionate about: being in the field, meeting people where they are and telling stories that matter to the communities watching. I’m also excited to continue growing my work in digital and social storytelling and finding new ways to connect with audiences beyond traditional television.
Winning this Telly Award for my flood coverage is a special milestone as I begin this next chapter, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make that work possible.
