Aliza Appelbaum

I have been passionate about both journalism and global affairs for my entire career, and am thrilled to have found at ICFJ an organization that shares my values of promoting freedom of the press, transparency, access to information, and supporting independent journalism around the world. 

I oversee ICFJ’s global programs team, which implements more than 70 programs every year all over the world.  

My background: I started my career as a journalist in Egypt and the U.S., covering stories on a range of topics such as local politics, criminal justice reform, and economics. Since transitioning to the world of media development, my work has focused on supporting journalists who work in difficult environments. Prior to joining ICFJ, I worked at International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) on media and civil society development programs in Central America, Eurasia, and the Middle East. I have lived in Spain, Egypt, Israel/Palestine, and Morocco, with additional regional experience around Central America.

I have a master’s in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and a bachelor’s in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. I speak Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew.

Ask me about: Mahjong, scuba diving, book recommendations