⭐️ LION Publishers honors leaders strengthening journalism

By Jimena Sandoval

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Altavoz Lab News

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May 28, 2026

We’re excited to share that Valeria Fernández, founder and executive director of Altavoz Lab, has been nominated for the 2026 LION Community Member of the Year Award alongside an extraordinary group of leaders shaping the future of independent journalism.

Other nominees include Claudia Yaujar-Amaro of Planeta Venus, an Altavoz Lab alumna whose fellowship focused on connecting bilingual communities with vital health resources; Dana Amihere of AfroLA; Garry Pierre-Pierre of The Haitian Times; John Adams of Montana Free Press; and Mia Warren of Feet in 2 Worlds. Together, the nominees represent a powerful cross-section of newsroom founders, collaborators, mentors and innovators strengthening journalism across the country.

The nomination recognizes journalists who not only build impactful news organizations, but actively invest in others through mentorship, collaboration and community leadership. For Altavoz Lab, it is also a reminder that independent journalism thrives through relationships, and through people committed to ensuring that local, immigrant and community-rooted reporting continues to grow.

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Author

Jimena Sandoval

Outreach and Communications Coordinator – Altavoz Lab

Jimena Sandoval is a social communicator who studied at the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) in El Salvador. She is an entrepreneur and communicator known for her leadership in promoting equity and visibility for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As the founder of Noisy Digital, the first trans-led marketing agency, Jimena focuses on empowering marginalized communities, particularly the TGI (transgender, gender expansive, and intersex) population. She has been involved in significant initiatives alongside organizations like The TransLatin@ Coalition and Bienestar Human Services. With a strong background in PR and marketing, Jimena works to amplify the voices and stories of the LGBTQIA+ community, creating impactful change and opportunities. She is also a collaborator for palabra by NAHJ.

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