I’m C.J.
Director of Graphics & Data Visuals
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Before landing in data and graphics journalism, my career spanned reporting, digital production, audience engagement, and audio/video storytelling, a mix that has allowed me to successfully build relationships and collaborate with every corner of the newsroom. Now, I manage a team of journalists to find unique visual ways to tell stories.
In 2023 and 2024, I was proud that this work led to our newsroom’s first infographics team portfolio Award of Excellence nods from the Society for News Design. Our work is also an integral partner to the robust reporting in our investigations and longform journalism.
I enjoy finding creative visual solutions to sticky data problems or complex topics, for every platform we publish on — and managing the people and workflows to make it all happen on deadline or over weeks and months.
Favorite data topics: Education, health, science, outdoors, climate, elections, pop culture
Recent work
Data analysis, writing & graphics
OLYMPICS Suni Lee wants beam gold. Here’s how she gets it. online ● print
NEWS Here’s where Donald Trump’s 4 criminal cases stand ● online
SPORTS Twins' Byron Buxton is younger at 30 than he was at 29 ● online
POP CULTURE Minnesotans tend to go far on ‘The Bachelor’ online ● print
Editing, art direction & speaking
ELECTIONS Races that could decide control of the Legislature online ● print
SPORTS Every hit Joe Mauer made in his 15-year career online ● print
CLIMATE This ancient tree is one of the oldest in Minnesota. The warming climate might kill it. online ● print special section
ELECTIONS 2024 Minnesota presidential primary live election results ● online
SPEAKING Datawrapper Unwrapped: Secret Scatterplots ● conference
SPEAKING NICAR 2024: Make data viz with (almost) every tool ● audio
Experience
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Director of Graphics & Data Visuals ● 2021 - current
Data Visuals Editor ● 2019
Digital Graphics Producer ● 2018
Digital Producer ● 2014
University of Minnesota
Adjunct Instructor ● 2014 - 2022
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Multimedia Producer ● 2012 - 2014
Bismarck Tribune
Online Producer ● 2010 - 2011