Senior visual journalism leader with 30+ years driving high-impact
visual storytelling at leading U.S. and international news
organizations. Builder of creative teams inside large institutions;
strategic partner to top newsroom leadership. Deep, hands-on
experience integrating cartography, data visualization, interactives,
motion/video, and 3D across platforms—from breaking news to long-form
enterprise. Known for mentorship, innovation, strong editorial
standards, and clear visual explanation.
Professional Experience
The Washington Post
Department Head, Graphics (2025–2026)
-
Led the Graphics team for daily and enterprise coverage, editing
data-driven graphics, interactives, and visual storytelling for
breaking news and investigations. Advocated for a stronger and more
consistent presence of visual journalism on the homepage, working
closely with editors across Politics, National Security, Business,
Sports, and Investigations to integrate graphics earlier in the
reporting process.
USA TODAY
Senior Graphics Director (2019–2025)
-
Led the Graphics Department across the national USA Today Network,
partnering with national and local editors; elevated ambition and
impact of visual storytelling. Contributed to a ~20% increase in
traffic to graphics-driven stories; attended daily Page One and
planning meetings with editors and leadership. Brought multimedia
formats to scale across newsrooms ; hands-on on major newscycles,
including COVID-19, Jan. 6, elections, and Ukraine coverage.
Vox.com
Graphics Editor (2015–2019)
-
Led the Data Visualization and Graphics team, developing interactives, assigning illustrations and motion graphics and video explainers for a digital-first newsroom.
Los Angeles Times
Data & Graphics Editor (2013–2015)
-
Managed and edited the graphics team for print and digital coverage, coordinated with the Data team and newsroom and expanded the use of video graphics.
The Boston Globe
Graphics Director (2007–2013)
-
Led visual transformation during the shift to responsive digital
publishing; produced high-pressure explanatory coverage, including
Pulitzer-winning team work.
Worked in the Boston Globe Magazine, in cover stories, and spread infographics
Collaborated with the Ideas section on science graphics explainers
The San Jose Mercury News
Deputy Graphics Director (2004–2006)
-
Led graphics through a digital transition; supported daily and
enterprise storytelling across print and digital.
Earlier career
Graphics Director, El Correo, Bilbao, Spain (1990–2003)
Before joining U.S. newsrooms, I spent more than a decade in Spain in
graphics leadership roles. Across the full arc of my career, I’ve also
freelanced and consulted globally, contributing to science and
technical explainers and helping publications strengthen graphics
standards and visual communication.
Core Skills
- Information design and data visualization (charts, maps, diagrams and formats)
- Analytical rigor and visual QA; clear sourcing and uncertainty handling
- Cross-functional collaboration with subject-matter experts and stakeholders
- Strong editorial judgment: clarity, hierarchy, and narrative structure
- Scalable templates/standards for consistency across reports and decks
Teaching
- Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona Instructor, Visual Journalism (2003-2004)
- Universidad Don Bosco Visiting Instructor, Graphic Design post-graduate program, El Salvador (June 2003)
- El Correo Post-Graduate Master Instructor (associated with Basque Country University, (1998-2002)
Tools
- Adobe CC (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
- Affinity Creative Suite, Canva
- Data visualization: Datawrapper, Flourish, D3, Raw charts. ai2html
- 3D: Luxology Modo, Blender, SketchUp
- Mapping: QGIS, Mapbox, Map4News
- Analysis: R/Python (basic)
- Motion/Video After Effects, Premiere, Apple Motion, Final Cut X, Cavalry
Selected Recognition
- Pulitzer Prize 2014 (core team) breaking news.Boston Marathon Bombing
- National Press Foundation —Innovative Storytelling. Politcal polarization in congress
- Majeri Award for leadership on data visualization
- Multiple SND/Malofiej honors, European Design Awards
Education
- Bachelor’s Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country, EHU1990
Languages
- English (fluent)
- Spanish (native)
Selected Talks and Competitions
I’ve spoken internationally on visual journalism and information design, including the National Press Foundation “Widening the Pipeline” workshop (2025), ABRAJI (São Paulo, 2017), Aalto University’s “Visualizing Knowledge” (Helsinki, 2017), Harvard School of Public Health (2013), and the Malofiej Infographics Summit (multiple years). I’ve also presented at SND workshops in the U.S. and Scandinavia, and served as a judge for major competitions, including Head of Jury for the International News Design Competition (2025), SND Best of Digital Design, Malofiej, and the Gabo Foundation Awards 2021.