Joan Binder

Joan Binder

Joni Binder

Class of 2027

LinkedIn

I am a first-year student at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, studying Audio and Investigative Journalism.

New to journalism but not new to writing, I am a published author and communications professional who has lent writing support to political campaigns and nonprofits. I am drawn to audio journalism and storytelling because of the undeniable intimacy of hearing human voices.

I am a fourth generation Californian who lives in San Francisco, the catbird seat for all things tech and an important node for California politics, arts, culture, and philanthropy.

 

Select publication links:

“Mile 46: Face to Face in Maasailand” (book)

“(Student) Power to the People!” (podcast)

“What’s Happening with the Chevron Money?”, (article)

 

EDUCATION

  • UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, MJ Candidate, 2027

  • California Institute of the Arts-- BFA

  • Columbia University-- Architecture major

  • Friends World College, Kenya campus
    (semester abroad)

EMPLOYERS

  • Richmond Confidential, reporter

  • Northgate Radio, reporter

  • TurnaroundArts CA, vice-chair and committee chair for governance and communications

PUBLICATIONS & OTHER WORK

  • "Mile 46: Face to Face in Maasailand,"
    pub. date Mar. 2016 by Earth Aware Editions. Combining memoir, diary, and original photography, a journalistic exploration of the author's extended stay with a Maasai family in southern Kenya.
    https://www.amazon.com/Mile-46-Face-Maasailand/dp/1608877523

  • "(Student) Power to the People!", podcast. Released 1/2026. Original 10-minute segment on Turning Point USA's Berkeley chapter as a part of a survey of campus activism. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/north-gate-radio/id1179147810?i=1000745030707

  • Richmond Confidential, "What's happening with the Chevron money?", Oct. 2025. Enterprise article on a city government's unfulfilled promises to the community it serves. https://richmondconfidential.org/2025/10/23/whats-happening-with-the-chevron-settlement-money/

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

  • Society of Professional Journalists, member

  • Fine Arts Committee of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, member

  • TurnaroundArts CA, ex-officio board director

REPORTING INTERESTS

Culture, Human Rights Issues, Political Reporting, Politics, Power, Tech, diplomacy, government