Andrea Lopez-Villafaña

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña is Voice of San Digeo's managing editor. Voice is a nonprofit investigative online news outlet that focuses on revealing information and educating the public. We cover topics within education, environment, politics and communities in San Diego. She is the co-host of the VOSD Podcast and writes a weekly news roundup newsletter Cup of Chisme. 

What problems are you addressing: My decision to pursue a career in journalism was inspired by my parents. Throughout my entire life, I have watched them struggle to navigate complex systems like enrolling me in school, filing immigration paperwork, seeking renters' assistance, applying for work benefits and health insurance. I learned how valuable it is for people to understand how local government and institutions function. Politics and policy seem wonky at times, but they shape and touch so many of our lives. 

My role as a journalist is to help residents make sense of big issues. It's important to provide the community with facts and information that will help guide their decisions. It's also important for the community to know what is going on in their city and to reveal when something isn't working right so that those and power can bring on change. As an editor at Voice of San Diego it is my job to encourage reporters and work with them to find stories that will have impact in our county. I help guide how they shape and write their stories and who they talk to. As an organization we believe that everyone in our county deserves access to good schools, good communities and housing. The stories I help produce and publish help reveal gaps in our system and bring awareness to issues that are keeping people from benefiting from those basic rights.