Alessandra Freitas

New York, NY  |  aledmfreitas@gmail.com  |  +1-929-370-4425  |  alessandrafreitas.media

Award-winning investigative journalist and multilingual reporter with 9+ years of experience breaking news, producing live TV, and leading cross-border investigations across print, digital, and broadcast platforms. Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian — with a track record of exclusive sourcing, OSINT-driven accountability reporting, and high-stakes storytelling from the U.S. and around the world. Pulitzer Prize finalist. Peabody Award recipient.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CNN / CNNI / CNN Brasil

CNNI  |  Reporter & Writer (Freelance)Oct. 2025 – Present

• Cover breaking news, live blog posts, feature stories, and analysis for CNN's International News Desk — including the U.S./Israel war with Iran, the U.S. airstrike in Venezuela, narco-trafficking in Latin America, the methanol crisis in Brazil, and high-profile immigration cases — often conducting interviews in Portuguese and Spanish.

• Secure exclusive interviews on major stories, including the Deborah Brandão family interview during the Danilo Cavalcante manhunt; pitch, translate, and develop cross-platform stories on global elections, major legal and political cases, foreign conflicts, and public policy.

• Verify and contextualize official statements, sanctions records, and security claims to ensure accuracy during fast-moving, politically sensitive events.

• Deliver deadline-driven breaking news while contributing deeper explanatory reporting that connects historical context, international law, and regional power dynamics.

CNNI  |  Planning Producer (Freelance)Feb. 2026 – Present

• Plan and produce CNNI broadcast programming for The Story Is… with Elex Michaelson, One World, and CNNI Newsroom — coordinating editorial lineups, guest logistics, and live coverage across international time zones.

• Shape daily and long-range editorial strategy for CNNI shows, working closely with anchors, correspondents, and senior editors to develop story selection, guest booking, and segment framing.

• Manage breaking news integration into scheduled programming, pivoting show structure in real time during major international events.

CNN  |  Editorial Producer (Freelance & Staff)Aug. 2025 – Present  |  Jan. 2023 – Feb. 2025

• Support Laura Coates Live with guest booking, research, logistics, and breaking news coverage — helping produce one hour of CNN Prime Time live programming.

• Led editorial planning for News Central, shaping three hours of daily live programming across digital, TV, and social platforms.

• Covered major events including the 2024 U.S. Elections and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; coordinated interviews with lawmakers, elected officials, campaign surrogates, and world leaders.

• Pitched and produced the Alvin Ailey misconduct and sexual harassment investigation using OSINT and sensitive sourcing — resulting in the dismissal of the organization’s longtime artistic director.

CNN Brasil  |  International Correspondent (Freelance)July 2024 – Present

• Pitch, produce, and deliver video-driven reports on U.S. and global affairs, including live coverage of the 2024 U.S. elections, natural disasters, mass shootings, Venezuela elections, and Middle East conflicts.

• Produced and filmed a 2025 investigative documentary series on COVID-19’s long-term impacts, integrating data visualization and collaborating with remote teams under tight deadlines.

• Conduct multilingual interviews with global newsmakers, leveraging OSINT tools (CrowdTangle, Google Earth, InVID) for cross-border investigations and culturally nuanced storytelling.

CNN  |  Associate Producer & Production AssistantMarch 2019 – Dec. 2022

• Produced and edited video segments for TV and digital platforms, from news packages to live breaking news coverage, including the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, and mass shootings.

• Worked in the control room during live shows, collaborating with desks to verify media assets, license content, and ensure accuracy during high-stakes events.

• Sourced footage from AP and Reuters, managed live feeds, and collaborated with animators and editors to create visual narratives.

• Analyzed data to produce broadcast and digital graphics; conducted in-depth research and sourcing for live newscasts and special documentaries.

ProPublica  |  Investigative Reporter & ResearcherJan. 2017 – May 2018

• “Lost Mothers” series (Pulitzer finalist): Reported on a major multimedia investigation into maternal mortality — prompting Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Indiana to pass legislation strengthening childbirth death review committees and President Trump to sign the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act in Dec. 2018. [Read series]

• “Bombs in Our Backyard” (military waste series): Used geolocation, public records, and open-source research to uncover military-linked environmental hazards. [Read series]

• Analyzed data, sourced whistleblowers, and collaborated across departments on multimedia storytelling — pitching innovative formats including audiograms and interactive digital features.

Dow Jones / Barron’s  |  Engagement EditorMarch 2018 – March 2019

• Developed Barron’s video strategy and launched their Instagram and Reddit presence; directed social media and community journalism initiatives.

• Wrote financial articles on topics including Bitcoin and the Brazilian market; created flash briefing content for Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Lost Mothers — ProPublica (2018)

• Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Explanatory Reporting

• George Polk Award

• Peabody Award for Radio and Podcast

• Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting

• Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards — Excellence in Innovation & Social Media

• The Deadline Club Award for Public Service

Finding Sanctuary — NYU (2017–2018)

• New York Emmy — Public/Current/Community Affairs: Series

• Horizon Interactive Award — Short Film / Documentary

EDUCATION

New York University — M.S. in Digital Multimedia Journalism (Studio 20)2016 – 2017

Faculdade Cásper Líbero, Brazil — B.A. in Journalism & Social Communication2012 – 2015

SKILLS & TOOLS

Languages: English (native), Portuguese (native), Italian (fluent), Spanish (fluent), French (conversational)

OSINT & Research: Google Earth, CrowdTangle, TweetDeck, LexisNexis, Archive.org, InVID, FOIA, public records

Production & Technical: Adobe Premiere, Audition, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, iNews, MIRA, Python, Excel, Sony FS7, DSLR, GoPro Omni Rig

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

The Deadline Club (SPJ NYC Chapter) — VP of Communications (2025–present) & Executive Council Member (2022–present)