Virtual Panel: Behind the Scenes with Female Leaders at ESPN
Come learn more about the broad range of journalism opportunities at ESPN, as we highlight a panel of female leaders from across the media company. Hosted by AAJA New York, this event is open to any AAJA members who are interested in the topic.
Panelists:
Chin Wang is Vice President of Visual Storytelling at ESPN Creative Studio. She leads an award-winning, industry-leading team of designers, animators, concept artists, visual journalists, multimedia editors, photo researchers, web developers, creative producers, and project managers whose work reaches across all screens and fan experiences at ESPN. This includes everything from content design and photography on the ESPN website and app, key art for ESPN+ Originals, television graphics packages for studio shows, live events and alternate broadcasts to marketing and promotional design campaigns.
Wang also leads the creative strategy and integration group, whose mission is to amplify and optimize creative across all the various products and platforms where ESPN lives. Wang is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and started her career in newspapers as a journalist, most recently at The Boston Globe.
Carolyn Hong serves as Lead Editor, Content Manager for ESPN’s universal news group. In her role, she manages a large network of sports insiders, reporters, writers, and story editors to produce content – including breaking news – for multiple platforms including SportsCenter and ESPN.com. Prior to that, she served as coordinating producer in ESPN’s Investigative/News Enterprise Unit, overseeing all aspects of production of longform investigative, issue-oriented content.
Hong is a member of AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association) and co-founded the AAJA Sports Task Force with a mission of growing the pipeline of Asian Americans pursuing careers in sports journalism. Under her leadership, the Sports Task Force created a monthly mentor chat which allows students and new sports journalists to learn about the career paths of veteran journalists, developed two scholarships and an internship to ESPN to offer AAPI students interested in sports journalism and fostered the growth of a solid national network of AAPI sports journalists. Hong’s work has been recognized with multiple Sports Emmys and George Foster Peabody, Alfred I. duPont and Edward R. Murrow awards.
Sierra Galanza (moderator) is Manager at ESPN, leading the development for ESPN's premier career development programs, ESPN Next & the ESPN Next Accelerator. She also serves as an advisor to the Vice President of NEXT & Social Production, juggling dual roles, and working seamlessly across both NEXT and Social Production to identify synergies, streamline processes, and modernize the Production Assistant role.
Galanza joined ESPN as an intern in 2019, and quickly rose through the ranks to her current role. She has developed a track record of organizing and solving complex challenges, exemplifying a commitment to collaborative teamwork while thriving independently and within a group setting. Her portfolio includes contributions to high-profile studio shows and events such as NFL Primetime, NFL Live, Super Bowl, College Gameday, and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Sierra also serves as a Co-Chair for ESPN's Multicultural Women's Network, where she plays a pivotal role in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. Galanza graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Communications and Journalism.
Allie Havens serves as Coordinating Producer for ESPN’s morning show Get Up.
After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast & Digital Journalism, she started her career as a Production Assistant in Studio Production. In her 10 years at ESPN, Havens has produced shows, athlete interviews, long-form features, and has worked in live events productions for marquee properties, including Baseball Tonight, SportsCenter and Get Up.