Hi, I’m Becca.

Throughout my career, I have helped news organizations and the leaders within them establish processes for strategic product development by bringing together lessons in organizational change management, audience research, design, engineering and product management.

In my current role as Chief Product Officer of the News Product Alliance, I’m leading programs to strengthen news organizations’ product management capabilities and supporting journalists around the globe as they seek to build sustainable, quality journalism products to serve their communities.

I co-founded the News Product Alliance, a global community of support and practice for news product thinkers in 2020 and served as the interim executive director until December 2021. In my previous role as the Director of Product at Chalkbeat, I oversaw digital product development and led a cross-functional team. My news product portfolio included editorial newsletters, a membership program, and a multi-publication news website and content management system.

My career began at The Texas Tribune where I spent eight years — first as a data and health care reporter, later as a developer and co-founder of the data and visuals team and finally, as the organization’s first-ever product manager. As a reporter, I wanted to create interactive stories that allowed people to engage more deeply with the news. So, I taught myself to code and in the process of building new story forms, I discovered the art and discipline of product management. 

That said, my daughter once described my work as “Pottery Mama.” If you’d like to support my hobby or enjoy the imperfect beauty of handmade goods, check out my pottery here.

My pottery, on the side.

When I’m not working to transform the news industry, I spend time at the wheel—shaping clay into simple, functional forms. If you’re a friend, family member, or curious admirer, you can explore (or purchase) my one-of-a-kind, handmade ceramic pieces here.

PUBLIC SPEAKING & TEACHING

Instructor, Product Management for Newsroom Leaders, University of Texas Knight Center, 2019

Speaker, Product Thinking for News Leaders, Online News Association 2019

Speaker, We Built a Product Team in One Year: Here’s Everything We Learned, Online News Association 2019

Speaker, J-School Supplement: Product Management, Online News Association 2018

Speaker, Embracing Product Culture: What It Means for Your Career, Online News Association-U 2018

Instructor, Product Management for Journalists, University of Texas Knight Center, 2017

Say hi.

becca@newsproduct.org | News Product Alliance

becca.aaronson.llc@gmail.com | Pottery & Consulting