Alicia Ramirez, 34

Founder and Publisher, The Riverside Record Education: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in photography, Loyola University Chicago; Master of Science in Journalism (part of the Newstart Program), West Virginia University

What advice do you have for other young professionals in the news industry?

I’ve been in the industry for 13 years, which somehow feels both like a lifetime, and, like, I’m just getting started. But a few things have allowed me to continue to do what I do.

Find your people. Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed. From friends and family to mentors and coworkers, work to create relationships that nourish you and help you become exactly who you are meant to be.

Journalism is your job, not your identity. There is so much more to life than what you do for work. Journalism is a field that often demands we show up so fully that there’s nothing left for us to give in our personal lives, but leave some room for your own humanity. You deserve that.

Solidarity forever. The only way we’ll be able to create a more equitable and sustainable news industry is if we stand together and demand it. For every step forward in journalism, a coalition of folks has been working to make it happen. Whether that’s fighting for equitable pay or changing how we as an industry cover topics, such as policing or mass shootings, it takes a village. Be part of that village.

How do you deal with making tough decisions as a leader?

Two questions drive my decisionmaking: Is it good for the community, and is it good for the business?

Local news organizations are nothing without the support of the communities they cover, so their interests have to be considered when making hard decisions, especially when those decisions are related to coverage. I also have to consider whether a decision aligns with our mission and financial goals. At the end of the day, I need to be able to justify my decisions not only to myself but to the readers and the board. Having that built-in accountability has made it much easier to make tough decisions.