Jan Ross P. Sakian

Lead project manager supporting partnerships and next-quarter initiatives for API Programs and Product teams. 

• Launched the API-Knight Youth Engagement Fund and a Metrics for News product onboarding sprint in May 2026
• Prepared grant-making materials including research, writing, visuals and budget proposals for multi-level review
• Drafted language for internal purposes (memos, documentation, guides) and formalized workflows for external communications (logistics emails, event descriptions, templates for deliverables) in Asana and Google Workspace
• Managed stakeholder relationships, including sponsors, funders, grantees, media partners and event participants.

Point of contact for an alumni community of journalists and media decision-makers through the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program, a $4.95 million grant dedicated to helping news organizations diversify revenue and audiences, addressing equity and building cultures of care in tandem with supporting business sustainability. 

• Co-designed interactive learning experiences for virtual cohorts and supported planning for API Local News Summits.
• Managed forms, applications, registration and surveys for professional development offerings including monthly Zoom webinars, group coaching, volunteer advisory boards and funding opportunities (stipends, honoraria, grants)
• Wrote summaries and assigned case studies for BetterNews.org about best practices for an audience of innovators.
• Primary author of monthly newsletters dedicated to industry training, resources and news using Hubspot CRM.

Logistics liaison and analytics lead for special projects on behalf of The Texas Newsroom, a collection of public radio stations in Texas and the first regional hub launched in NPR's Collaborative Journalism Network model. 

• Organized monthly reporter calls for three beat areas: border & immigration, politics & government and healthcare.
• Managed and curated monthly virtual training opportunities available to more than 150 public radio journalists.
• Led daily morning content briefings for station leaders and editors, highlighting coverage impact and digital analytics
• Maintained content sharing platforms, story tracking databases, email lists and communications platforms.
• Contributed to the development of procedures related to metrics, technology, diversity, standards and practices. 

News Operations Producer, Texas Public Radio

Launched editorial products and spearheaded organizational capacity-building efforts for a fast-growing newsroom. 

• Organized weekly cross-department meetings with members of TPR's Marketing, Underwriting, Membership and News teams to discuss planning, digital projects and deliverables.
• Created newsroom records and controlled processes, including standing meetings, passwords, service contracts, equipment pricing, awards submissions, arrangements for special guests and travel accommodations. 
• Launched and maintained TPR digital news products including a morning newsletter and bilingual liveblog. 
• Produced the award-winning, live call-in show "The Source" from 2016 to 2019. Daily duties included researching and booking guests, writing web and social media posts, sound editing, audience engagement and community outreach.
  
  View published stories and bylines at https://www.tpr.org/people/jan-ross-piedad

• Facilitated studio recordings, managed guests for live and pre-taped interviews in Washington D.C. headquarters.
• Coordinated in-network coverage remotely with the "Here & Now" team in Boston to produce a 2-hour live program.
• Monitored story developments, show rundowns, project planning, and operations strategy under NPR deputy managing editors during the 2016 election year.

• Wrote, prepared and published digital-first, multimedia web and social media posts for at least 2 regular segments.
• On staff during the newsmagazine show's launch from a weekly pilot project to a live daily syndicated program.

3-term board member leading efforts to engage globally-minded young professionals in the San Antonio area.

• Organize events for council members and the general public, build a community in-person and online (LinkedIn)
• Served on the Strategic Planning Committee steering the Council's adoption of a 5-year plan

Community board member for a place-based training program geared towards cross-sector leaders who are committed to supporting values of equity, coalition-building and civic engagement in local communities. 

As San Antonio Selections Co-chair: managing a competitive applications process for a six-month personal-professional fellowship, coordinating with the Selections committee and organizing interviews with prospective fellows.

Government Minor & Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Social Inequality, Health & Policy

• Competitively selected for the semester-long Archer Fellowship, a live-work-study program in Washington D.C.    
• Staffed and moderated high school Model United Nations conferences in Austin, Houston and New York City.   
• Elected to the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees, serving 5 properties including "The Daily Texan."