について。
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Natalie Jacobsen grew up in a farmhouse surrounded by apple trees in rural Oregon and now resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband, whom she met as a student at the University of Oregon.
Jacobsen's call to activism started when she was eight and saw Hurricane Mitch ram Central America on TV. When she asked how she could help, her mom said "speak up." Jacobsen gave a speech to her school, and the rest is history.
Since then, she has pursued telling stories that inspire action and change. As a journalist, she investigated VA Governor and State Police, animal shelters, and the rise of white supremacy. She reports on education, travel and lifestyle, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and more.
For years she lived and studied in Japan, focusing on being behind a camera lens and capturing stories that move the soul and share history. From television to music studios, Hokkaido to Kyoto, Tokyo back alleys to Okinawa beaches, the years spent in Japan pushed her creatively.
One of Jacobsen's passions is modern storytelling through the lens of folklore from the past. In a weekly episode series, "Folklore Friday," hosted on her social media channels, she shares about Japanese folklore and lessons we can impart today. Her debut novel, GHOST TRAIN, is a historical fiction that transports the reader to 19th Century Kyoto, when Japan was undergoing Westernization and rapid change after the shogun were overthrown, and Emperor Meiji ascended the throne. At its heart is a ghost story that analyzes how legends are born.
Today, she specializes in marketing in government and nonprofit, honing strategies to generate impact through thoughtful and inspiring communications. Her transition from journalism to activism materialized while residing in Charlottesville, VA, and seeing the communities not just in need of a voice, but an advocate. In her spare time, she speaks on panels, volunteers at local DC charities and with campaigns to help elect future leaders.
Jacobsen's educational background includes creative writing at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, Georgetown University in a political science program, New York Film Academy in Kyoto, NGen's Leaderosity and the Self Aware Leader program, and the UO Honors College. Jacobsen's work in journalist, marketing, and writing are award-winning.
受賞歴と受賞歴認識:
Scholastic Gold Key Award
Recognized for a short story in the Young Writers category.
JournoHero
Recognized by RCFP and IWMF for taking on VA Governor and Police in Court over FOIA rights.
40 Under 40 Changemaker
Nominated by colleagues, awarded by NGen to join a leadership cohort focused on nonprofit.
Innovation in Marketing Award
Awarded by a Federal agency multiple times for impactful marketing strategy.