LAURA CASTAÑeda

Laura Castañeda is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, blogger, documentary filmmaker and media instructor. Castañeda has more than 30 years of experience in various multilanguage platforms. 

Castañeda has worked in three different news markets (Chicago, San Diego, and Tucson, Ariz.), holding positions ranging from production assistant to anchor. Castañeda spent many years working on both sides of the international border in Nogales and Tijuana, B.C.

She is an alumna of the University of Illinois-Urbana and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in Sociology.

Castañeda is a member of the San Diego Press Club, SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists), IRE (Investigators Reporters and Editors), NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists), and supports,  NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists), NAJA (Native American Journalists Association), and AAJA (Asian-American Journalists Association.)

She also served on numerous boards of directors including Latino Journalists of California, CCNMA (The California News Media Association and UNITY Journalists of Color, and served as president of the San Diego Chapter of CCNMA. She now serves as president of the San Diego-Tijuana chapter of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. 

In April 2023, Castañeda was inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter.