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Team iReport celebrates our fifth birthday in August 2011!
There are lots of folks at CNN who help make iReport tick (in addition to our awesome community, of course). Here are some quick introductions to a few of the folks you're most likely to encounter here:
Lila King I like to think of myself as the ringleader of the iReport circus, and I mean that with nothing but love. I'm a producer, an editor, a team leader, a cheerleader, a blogger, a baker (and candlestick maker?) and I'm pretty sure you'll find that everyone's got an interesting story if you listen well enough.
Katie Hawkins-Gaar Hi! I'm the editorial leader of Team iReport. I love to invent collaborative storytelling projects between iReporters and CNN, oversee exciting partnerships with other organizations, and help identify short and long-term editorial priorities. I love hearing iReporters’ stories and figuring out how to share them in new and interesting ways. If you’ve got an iReport project idea, let me know. I’m all ears.
David Williams I am the community manager at CNN iReport. I've been with CNN for 15 years. I want your experience here at CNN iReport to be as good as it can be, so if you have a problem or suggestions for improving the site, please drop me a line at david.williams@turner.com.
Christina Zdanowicz Hey, I'm Christina, the CNN iReport news producer. I lead our daily news operations and make sure iReport is represented in the top stories. From covering breaking news to creating newsy assignments, you can say I’m a newshound. When I'm not in iReportland, you'll see me donning red sneakers, toting a camera in hand.
Daphne Sashin I serve as the bridge between the iReport community and CNN’s television networks. It’s my job to work with producers at CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol and HLN to find new and creative ways to showcase your stories.
Henry Hanks Hi, I'm Henry, a CNN iReport producer. I talk to iReporters every day. If your iReport is compelling and/or newsworthy, you may hear from me soon.
Rachel Rodriguez Hi, I'm Rachel. Being a CNN iReport producer means I get to write stories, build beautiful interactive features, and even find the occasional bit of fame and fortune by showing off your iReports on TV. Oh, and go on Facebook and watch funny iReport videos at work. When I'm not telling your stories, you can find me leading weekly CNN yoga (yes, really).
Jareen Imam Greetings! My name is Jareen and I am an associate producer with CNN iReport. Being an AP with iReport means I have the amazing opportunity to meet and chat with iReporters from around the world. Besides vetting iReports and creating stories, I am also a creative writer and I do standup comedy.
Michael Saba I'm Michael, a CNN iReport associate producer. Producers are the jack-of-all trades: We vet your submissions, build interactive pieces, help plan the editorial calendar and help turn the best iReport stories into content for web and broadcast. If you ever stop by the CNN center, keep your eyes peeled for the guy lost in his earbuds, bobbing his head to the latest Hood Internet mashup.
Nicole Saidi Hi, my name is Nicole, and I work with comments on CNN.com. You could say that I wear a lot of hats around here, both literally and figuratively. I'm always on the hunt for stories on our site that are generating a lot of buzz. Got an awesome idea? Talk to me. Let's make it happen.
Manav Tanneeru Hello, I’m a data producer at CNN iReport. As a part of my job, I get to play with data from a variety of sources and use it to tell stories or complement stories we’re working on. Or, I find interesting things within the data and use other methods to tell the story. I also write, occasionally, about a variety of topics you might find in the news.
Germain Perez I'm Germain, an associate producer with Team iReport. I research community trends to help us grow and better our service, and think of cool ways to tell your amazing stories. Got an idea on how to make iReport cooler? Send me a PM!
April Andrews Hey y'all! I’m a publicist and the senior social media strategist for CNN Worldwide Public Relations. I consider myself super lucky because I have the pleasure of leading the publicity efforts for CNN iReport and occassionally connecting with some of you! In addition to iReport, I'm also responsible for developing and executing social media strategies across platforms for all of CNN’s networks. I love social media so feel free to send me an '@' to @aprilCNNPR on Twitter anytime. I'd love to exchange tweets with you!
Nnedike Ugoji Hi I’m Nnedike, your marketing lead for CNN iReport. It’s my job to help build awareness around iReport, and let people know about all of the ways they can participate. I also help to spread the word about iReport’s exciting assignments, interactives, new programs and features.
Sophia Voychehovski Hello, iReporters! I am a senior user experience designer here at CNN.com. I love making technology work better for human beings, and I am excited to make CNN.com and iReport a better place for you. Watch out for iReports from me that highlight some user experience issues and solutions that need your feedback.
Kyle Rogers I'm a senior software developer on the CNN iReport technical team. My job is turning the visions of our designers and producers into reality, enabling you to share your awesome iReports with the world. When not behind a computer, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, meeting new people, hiking and biking, and watching an occasional rocket launch.
Raja Periyasamy Hello, I'm Raja and I work as a senior developer for iReport. If you find anything broken on iReport, yell at me and I can fix; otherwise, I'll continue building this wonderful site so that you will have a better experience, as always. If I'm not in front of my computer, I'll be in front of TV for a funny movie or at a bowling alley.
Lee Elmore I'm a senior software developer for CNN iReport. I work on the technical team to implement new features and functionality on the site as well as ensure the site is stable, up-to-date and looks great! When not working on iReport, I can usually be found outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Ian DesVignes Hi, my name is Ian and I am the project manager for the iReport team by day and a writer/filmmaker by night. Being the product of Trinidadian parents, I love reggae music and having fun. Although I've lived in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago, Hawaii, Tampa and Trinidad, I consider good old New York City my home (one time for Jamaica Queens).
Christian Oliver I'm the technophilic Business Manager from the Strategy group that is always trying to come up with interesting opportunities to help make iReport grow, build new features and reach a larger audience. I may freak out if I'm offline but can always compensate by putting on my running shoes. Have worked with online journalism since 1995. Have tried lots of things, many of them once, but I'm always willing to try something new, specially in music. Generally afraid of resisting to change. Believe that if I'm not failing, I'm playing it too safe.
Eric Hernandez Hello iReporters. My name is Eric Hernandez, I manage the group that works with you if you experience issues accessing any parts of the site or run into any trouble uploading data. I graduated from Florida State University, and have been with CNN for about 7 years.
Kyle Hale Hello fellow iReporters! My name is Kyle and I help handle your technical issues here at iReport. Whatever your problem is, be it your submissions aren't showing up, you are having upload problems, you've spilt coffee on your brand new computer -- I'm here to help! I want you, the iReporter, to know that any question is a good question and I'll be happy to walk you through any problems you are having with iReport. So hurry up and upload some awesome photos and videos!
Zach Conrad I help with iReporter requests and technical support. In other words, if you're having trouble with uploading or maybe viewing videos, I do my best to provide assistance. I graduated from Georgia State University and have been with CNN for 8 years.
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© 2011 Cable News Network. 
WOW! The Team has grown :)
Thanks for makig iReport what it is.
Wow, it just keeps on growing.
Where's Elizabeths bio?
Hey KCRep - the folks you see here are just the ones you're most likely to meet on iReport. There are folks across CNN who work with iReport, too, but aren't listed here.
Thanks lila!!
(pokes head in, waves, then silently departs...)
awww ...so cool ... looks a really nice team :))) thank you team xxx
Hi everyone out there, u guys look fab!!
Hey, is anybody older than 25 in here? lol...you all do look great!!
I see a hard working group of smart, young professionals. I am envious, what a great time of life for you all and to be in Atlanta with such cool jobs. Having the whole world watching what you do for a living and you can tell that you all love doing it. With technology and the advances of the internet, it has been fun for someone like me (an ol guy) to learn to maneuver through the web and follow you all on your twitters and flickrs pages. And ya'll have helped be to become quite the local celebrity myself, with CNN iReport and face book, I get to brag about my vetted reports to my friend and on a rare occasion, I get some air time on our local television and in our local paper. So, I want to say thanks for showing my photography to the world (I am very proud of that) and congrates to you all for landing a job at CNN. Keep working hard, enjoy your young life’s and I look forward to seeing what you come up with next!
Gosh, thanks James! What a nice thing to say. And for the record, KCRep, a handful of us are well past 25. :)
lila....lol, ok, you might look 26.
In the private information you require in our ireporter profiles that is not publically available, I am not able to enter my telephone number. Rather, I do enter my telephone number, but the system does not appear to be retaining my telephone number.
Nice meeting you folk's,
I always wanted to put a face with a voice. Keep up the good work although you all make it look like fun.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving 2009
Butterfly1/Sharon Akaiwa
Keep up the great work guys. CNN may not know it yet but your department is poised to revolutionize the network.
nice to put a face to the voice Henry...you guys have a great Thanksgiving!
Hi guys and gals, excellent! everyone is doing a tremendous job. sorry i have'nt been able to report as much but that will change soon.i thank CNN for providing a outlet for all to vioce an opinion and report on issues and happenings localy,nationaly and around the world. Lets Go 2010!
Happy Thanks Giving!. I'll be at the Macy's Day Parade in New York City, i may put my ireport hat on lol
Jose
You guys are awesome, keep on working hard and one day an awesome will be rewarded. Bonne Annee a tout le monde.
I don't know what happened with my typing, but you understand what I was trying to say. An awesome gift will be rewarded to all of you.
Very cool. I see two open 'slots'. Do let me know if you need an HTPO or Human Factors specialist on board.
I've enjoyed dealing with Tyson, Henry and Nicole, and I like the way iReports are fresh and pertinent.
thank you for being part of this Social Networking Revolution. Yoour passion and hard work is well respected.
iReports! Power to the filmmakers!
Hello ireport team;
I look forward to communicating and working with you all.
I am new to this, so bare with me. There are so many issues in this world that need our attention and a voice to be heard where so many get overlooked.
I have a story and issue that I need assistant with. I certainly hope that someone on the team can help me with it. I am short of time today to share my story, however tomorrow I will e-mail it to you all.
Melissa
ipod rip transfer from ipod to computer
am proud to be one of the growing iReport members. Thanks for vetting me and contacting me as well. I'm honored! rs
Have you ever seen CNN in Spanish. It´s fantantic.
You guys are doing an important service....keep up the great work!
nice post
excellent team!
great team !!!
great work! thanks
loved reading here
great team :)
great work! thanks
Thanks. Very wonderful team.
I really like your articles, thank you, I have learned a lot.
This really looks exciting. Please count me in on iReport Blog.
Thanks guys and girls... you make a great team...
Reporting the unheard or unseen scenes is an enriching experience thanks to the wonderful platform creatively created by CNN management...look at some of the postings of mine even I never thought of shooting it but thanks to CNN daily I hunt for such creative news angle.... believe me for the last three months I have shot nearly 15 truck accident scenes which now takes me to do some research on NH8 near mumbai .
It's a pleasure to be part of some thing so special!
Thanks for being there for us!
You guys rocks!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Picture idea =_=
very nice page, keep it up!
I'm happy to be a member of CNN. All the useful news are found here. Thanks to everybody
Greetings for the New Year 2011! Time does fly in the 21st century. I have addressed Email to you directly. When do you reply to iReporters?
I regret to say that the vetting of the photograps at times is not very accurate.There are some photos that get vetted which are just anonymous snapshots while at times there are good photos that don't get vetted.
Which is the criteria for vetting photos?
A great bunch of people. I hope to see iReport grow and improve....
I just have to say this: you guys are doing a great job.
there is a bounched of people .... i hope ireport grow and aprove
Wov...I never took time to see the glamorous faces of ireport team.Welldone, welldoing CNN ireport team. Salute for wonderful picks of community reporting. shripad
why my ireports is still "not vetted by cnn" badge.
how to include in cnn
Keep up the good work. Looks like a great team. Salute to the troops is my favorite being a military wife. :) And Robin is too funny.... She makes me luagh and I need that. You guys make coming on here and using all the tools so easy. Thanks
i love to join the i report team ,what are all the procedure?
Hi @libinhalo1! The best way to join the iReport team is to start submitting iReports of your own about news stories that matter to you. We've had a number of regular iReporters who have landed jobs at CNN or elsewhere in the journalism world, and we'd love to add more people to that list!
WOW, nice to see so many new people. This new site is as gorgeous as it is functional. I'll look forward to meeting some of you soon on my next pass through Atlanta : > )
Much Metta
Percy
Great job!
Have a wonderful day...
Greetings from Chile. :-)
It is good to know that iReporters have a chance to be part of the CNN or other news sources someday. I have noticed new team members, welcome you all and I like the changes made so far. Great work.
Hello ! Keep it up . Wishing success to u all !
Hello ! Wishing triumph, honor n success to u all !
Saludos desde Kissimmee Fl. Tengo una gran pregunta para el equipo. Que paso con nosotros los de habla espanola que ya no tenemos nada en espanol para de irepot? No somo inportante para CNN irepot. Ustedes saben quien soy ya que me contestaron cuando pregunte si todos los de irepor mexico eramos todos de mexico y ahora ni tenemos nada en espanol. Me estere organisando con todo los de habla espanol para confrontarlos.
awesome look man,so much glad i m part of CNN iReport thanks CNN n hello World
Happy Thanksgiving, all! It's great e-meeting everyone. Thanks so much for all you've done for so many, and for so many years.
thank you cnn being a part of u .
I definitely wish I was 30 years younger. There are so many different opportunities, like ireport CNN that were definitely not around when I was younger. In fact, computers were in their infancy then. I never used one until our sons got our first one, an Amiga (great computer for games).
Good going team ireporters.
Group: CNN en Espanol
Te invitamos a ser parte de los ojos y oídos de CNN en Español. Únete a iReport, envía tus fotos y videos, y comparte tus ideas, opiniones y experiencias. Tus contribuciones forman parte de nuestra cobertura.
Thank you Team iReport.
We need this for all the latin ireporters.
Centellita
Soy nuevo en este tema, pero con grandes expectativas de ser parte de este maravilloso equipo de iReporters y gracias por hacernos partícipes de este innovador programa.
Thanks CNN
This is just a quick note of thanks for all your support here to i-dealzone.com It's been a challenging year for many, however we've manage well and we could not have achieved that without our wonderful customers just like you.
From the team here at i-dealzone.com, please have a nice Merry Christmas holiday and a happy and safe new year, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
god luck...
I'm having nothing but problems with my account. Stories not showing up and then half the time tonight I cant get logged on and when I do it ends up with Errors. My links that are feeded through RSS Feed to public forums isnt working with the new Story I posted tonight NOR is the story showing up.
Team did a vey good Job
I really enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being an ireporter in my town and area. Thanks, to all of you.
Although I joined CNN I-Report some time ago lack of time between my daily nationally syndicated radio talk show, Car Concerns USA, and my other obligation as co-founder of the American Motorist Vote Campaign have prevented me from filing ireports. That changes now!
it's great, thanks
hello i am a cnn ireporter i try and get the info
I did not sign up for this. unenroll me
it is honor to be a part of this great corporation . keep on for ever
Hi that is first time to join with you so it is honor to be Apart of this cooperation
Fantastic Family!!
"ABUNDANT PROVIDER"
"THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED WHICH SOMEONE
TOOK AND SOWED IN HIS FIELD. IT IS THE SMALLEST SEED OF ALL,
YET WHEN FULL GROWN IT IS THE LARGEST OF PLANTS. "
MATTHEW
13:31
See you in Austin at #SXSW!
Shelter Now
43 St. Casimir
needs help with everything. Our case manager is being paid by the State of Connecticut and is not giving us young ladies the help and guidance we need. And I am afraid of being on these unsafe streets we are living in today in 2012. It is so said how people in CT are wearing a state badge representing this state and is not doing there job to help us women to move forward in life. A change needs to come soon before things get worst. Thanks for listening.
Hello All Glad to Be Part of The Team Patrick Cavanaugh
In NJ
Thanks all of cnniReport team.
News ...5W+1H
From Siam1932 Thailand.
Hello iReport Team! Today was the first time since I joined that I have successfully logged on. I'm happy to be here and may discover that my biased opinions might get me into trouble, though once upon a time I hoped I'd be a true journalist.
I really want to get involved with the discussion about Women's Rights with regard to their bodies. We all know what that discussion is about, actually. I'd like to broaden it to include Men's Rights with regard to their bodies, as well. I suppose this would be a commentary rather than a report. Let me know, please, if you, our management team, feel this could be something of interest. I think women would be very interested. Just my humble opinion, or in DECcie terms, jmho, folks.
No wonder my song for Morning Express never got a listen. You guys are young enough to be my kids so there's obviously a generational music gap. lol
Can I resubmit it even if the contest is over? At least its on video now.
Thanks all of cnniReport team
www.Drogpa.com
This is going to be Interesting,Fun & Sooo Exciting.An old teacher of mine once told me " A good Reporter can only survive if he has plenty of sharp pencils " Since she didn't know we'd all have computers & the internet,I guess I can't call her a Misleading Fibber..darn ,I always wanted to call her that....NickNorthAble {alert with eyes open}
It was awesome meeting the team! I look forward to submitting compelling stories and working with our CNN iReport Team! Cheers!
im not realy a hobo
gud morning felas and ladies
this is two students from california ...and 2 girls
hello this is 5 students from mr cannadys gate class in california sacramento and we want a shoutout. we are in Kit Carson Middle School. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! Thnxx.
Greetz to the Team iReport, from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Have a blessed journey!
Hey everybody. I have a question related to a CNN interview with police Chief Don Hunter of Marcos Islands, Florida I saw this afternoon. Chief Hunter stated that he investigated a former Florida police officer that was the last one to see two Florida men, (one African-American, and the other Hispanic). He said that the investigation is still open with their sheriffs department. My question is why did he not turn the investigation over to the Feds since the two men are still missing, and the case involved police corruption? Maybe he can be asked this question during a future interview. Thank you.
Hello to the Team!! I'm so excited about you guys are doing and how the team has been growing. It's good to see there are real people behind every story.
Greetings from Boston, MA
I look forward to collaborating!
Jenny
Thank you Team iReport :)
hi...it's a perfect idea and that's great to participat in this style of citizen journalism ... i want to be an active i report menber thank you
Thanks CNN for taking my Dick Clark story.
In the late '60s, Mr. Clark was instrumental in getting my Pop group into the Billboard Top 10 with Elvis, Sinatra and the Beatles!
You can find my story under
Memories of Dick Clark here at iReport.
While your there take a listen to my recording
of "Remember Those Sweet Yetserdays." I'm singing
this in memory of Dick Clark who helped
to sweeten all of our lives through music.
The team just keeps on growing
Greetings to the family that I now belong too. I go by the name "The Good Doctor" aka 'Doc'. As I look at the team of I-Reporters. I as well take Pride, in representing This Corporation. While using Tack & determination, I plan on being a strong 'sprocket' in the realm of reporting.
I plead right Here and Now to respect and honor. Those who have came before me. Who's shoulders I now stand upon in my quest of Journalism. I have a superb team that will beat down the doors, and go where "we" are needed within this concrete jungle. Team Swaggas as they are called, will be an asset to CNN I-REPORTERS.
As you read this, we have been working on a story about a 'Big Corporation' since December. We may not win an Award but I can guarantee. After reading my article I am sure it will have the masses saying 'WOW-WEE'.We have been gathering Facts that are Concrete!!! Soon I will be pulling the trigger, That will surely cause Heads to roll,fingers to point & deceitfulness by words (snitching) so that they can get from behind the 8 ball
In closing we look forward to building friendships. With all here at CNN I-reporter. May The Creator guide and protect you all in everything you do.
Respectfully submitted THE GOOD DOCTOR!!!
My new iReport is up for the Tampa/Charlotte Smackdown.
Thanks CNN for this open venue. Ck out my 99 yr old dad in the video.