SEJ Board Election

Kathiann Kowalski
Active Board Candidate

I’m Kathi Kowalski, and I’d like your vote for SEJ’s Board of Directors. My perspective and experiences make me a valuable asset to represent you as SEJ and our profession move forward.

The sound science we report on and journalism itself are under attack. Claims about “fake news” and rejection of science by some government leaders and special interests threaten not only our profession, but our country’s democracy. I believe we all have a duty to defend the First Amendment. Serving on SEJ’s board can help me do that.

Our organization faces challenges as it strives to provide valuable services to members while also staying financially viable. SEJ must also deal with governance matters and other issues common to not-for-profit organizations. I can help provide guidance on those matters as a result of my legal background and experience with other groups.

SEJ’s resources and services are particularly important for those of us who are not part of large, well-funded organizations. Too often we have limited budgets. And sometimes professional opportunities go to others who are perceived to have the potential for greater impacts due to their market reach. For freelancers or those in smaller markets, though, having greater impacts depends upon getting those opportunities. I’m grateful for support I’ve received from others in SEJ, and I want to help SEJ become an even better resource for all its members.

As a freelance journalist, I feel it’s important to dig deep into what happened and why it matters for readers. This is especially important in an age of quick quips and sound bites. My journalism portfolio includes more than 650 articles, plus 25 books for young people. Environmental topics range from renewable energy, climate change and the carbon cycle to health impacts of particulate pollution, oceans, conservation, wildfires, environmental DNA testing and environmental engineering. Other science topics I’ve covered include drug-resistant infections, smartphones and social media, electronics, racism and social justice, and even the anatomy of a cookie.

My work for Science News for Students and Midwest Energy News garnered awards from the Ohio chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2015, 2016 and 2017. I’ve also received honors from the ASPCA, Society of School Librarians International, National Science Teachers Association and Children’s Book Council. And I’ve been awarded fellowships by the Marine Biological Laboratory, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources.

Before turning to journalism, I was a partner in the environmental practice group for a multinational law firm. My law degree is from Harvard, where I was a note editor for the Harvard Law Review. On a personal level, I enjoy time with my three children and their families and was happily married to a wonderful man. I enjoy hiking, beach trips, reading and sewing tailored clothes. Thank you for your consideration and your vote.

Contact Kathiann: [email protected]

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