Maria Gabriela Brenes Guevara

Gabriela traded her career as a classical pianist to become a multimedia journalist. Since then, she’s been dedicated to addressing two questions: How might we tell useful, relevant, and compelling stories that cut through the noise? And how might we cultivate resilience, agility, and inclusion in news organizations? A certified Scrum Master and Agile Team Facilitator, Gabriela has stood out for her positive impact in organizational innovation, agile methodologies, and adaptive leadership. Truly passionate about transdisciplinary work and human-centered design, she’s constantly experimenting with digital platforms to tell stories in a more compelling way. In a Venn diagram with digital strategy, social research, and multimedia literacy, she’d be right where the circles overlap.

She has been selected as a fellow for prestigious journalism and leadership programs, including Dow Jones - ICFJ, Community Solutions Program (IREX), Distintas Latitudes, and Product Immersion for Small Newsrooms (CUNY). With over 10 years in the industry, she’s worked for the Wall Street Journal, Rise Up by Fusion Network, Voice of America, and Radio Ambulante. She’s now the Executive Director of La Voz de Guanacaste, an award-winning hyperlocal news organization in Costa Rica.