Sona Patel
About Sona Patel
Sona Patel serves as the Program and Editorial Director for the Local Investigations Fellowship at The New York Times, a position she has held since 2022. With a strong background in journalism and social media strategy, she advocates for diversity in newsrooms and has held various leadership roles in the Asian American Journalists Association.
Current Role at The New York Times
Sona Patel serves as the Program and Editorial Director for the Local Investigations Fellowship at The New York Times. She has held this position since 2022, contributing to the development of investigative journalism initiatives within the organization. Based in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, Patel focuses on enhancing local reporting and fostering community engagement through investigative projects.
Previous Experience at The New York Times
Prior to her current role, Patel was the Director of Community & User Generated Content at The New York Times from 2021 to 2022. She also held the position of Sr. Social Strategy & UGC Editor from 2015 to 2021 and served as Staff Editor for Social Media from 2012 to 2015. In these roles, she developed strategies for reader engagement and managed the newspaper's social media presence.
Academic Background
Patel studied at the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Literary Journalism and Spanish from 2001 to 2006. Additionally, she completed a course in Data Analytics at General Assembly in 2016. Her educational background supports her expertise in journalism and data-driven reporting.
Advocacy and Leadership in Journalism
Sona Patel advocates for diversity in newsrooms and has held leadership roles within the Asian American Journalists Association. She served as the president of the Seattle chapter and vice president of the New York chapter, promoting inclusivity and representation in journalism. Her leadership reflects her commitment to enhancing diversity within the media industry.
Recognition and Awards
Patel was part of the team at The Seattle Times that won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting in 2010. This recognition highlights her contributions to impactful journalism and her ability to work collaboratively in high-pressure environments.