Emilia Díaz-Struck to lead GIJN as executive director

Emilia Díaz-Struck, renowned journalist and recipient of multiple awards, has been appointed as the incoming Executive Director of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN). GIJN, an association encompassing more than 240 nonprofit organizations dedicated to investigative journalism worldwide, welcomes Díaz-Struck to its leadership team.

Beginning in mid-August, Díaz-Struck will assume the role of Editor-at-Large at GIJN, allowing her to immerse herself in the network’s operations. Her official transition to the position of Executive Director will take place during the biennial conference of the network, to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from September 19 to 22.

GIJN’s founding executive director, David Kaplan, announced last year his intention to retire in 2023. Kaplan has guided the dramatic expansion of GIJN in activities and staff for more than ten years. Díaz-Struck comes to GIJN from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, where she has played a key role in groundbreaking global investigations into corruption and money laundering, including the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Panama Papers.

The decision to appoint Díaz-Struck as the new executive director was reached unanimously by the GIJN board of directors after an extensive and rigorous five-month search process.

Houston expressed great satisfaction in the appointment of Emilia Díaz-Struck as the executive director of GIJN. He emphasized her exceptional standing within the investigative journalism field, highlighting her extensive background and diverse set of skills. Having served as a reporter, a data editor, a co-founder of a local media organization, a journalism educator, and a manager in impactful global investigative collaborations, Díaz-Struck possesses the necessary vision, passion, and expertise to guide GIJN during this critical period of challenges for investigative reporting on a global scale.”

In response, Díaz-Struck expressed her immense excitement about the opportunity to collaborate with GIJN’s outstanding staff across 24 countries, along with the board and the broader global investigative journalism community. She emphasized the collective effort in empowering their network and enhancing the influence of investigative journalists worldwide.

Díaz-Struck highlighted the pivotal role that GIJN fulfills in supporting investigative journalists.

“In this era of immense possibilities and formidable hurdles for our field,” she expressed, “we remain committed to nurturing a platform that fosters the exchange of expertise, pioneering methods, and invaluable resources among journalists. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to cultivate stories that are indispensable for the progress of democracies and the well-being of individuals across the globe. The bravery, excellence, and dedication exhibited by our global community in every investigation continues to inspire me greatly. It is an immense privilege for me to contribute towards shaping the future of our profession together.”

Kaplan praised the selection of Díaz-Struck and said he looked forward to working with her during the transition.

“Thanks to our extraordinary supporters around the globe, GIJN has never been stronger,” Kaplan noted. “At a time when watchdog media is under siege worldwide, we are in more languages, in more countries, and training more journalists with the latest tools and tech. What better time to pass the torch to a new generation of investigative journalists.”

“Emilia Díaz-Struck,” Kaplan added, “represents the best of our profession — a consummate reporting pro, a data journalism pioneer, an educator, and an inspiring leader. I have no doubt Emilia will take GIJN and our global community to the next level.”

Díaz-Struck will become the new executive director as GIJN celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference.

Díaz-Struck boasts an extensive track record spanning over a decade, during which she has actively contributed to over 20 groundbreaking investigative collaborations recognized by ICIJ. These notable endeavors include projects such as Offshore Leaks, Panama Papers, Implant Files, FinCEN Files, and Pandora Papers. Her commitment to collaborative journalism has seen her engage with journalists from more than 110 countries and territories, solidifying her reputation as a sought-after speaker at GIJN conferences.

Additionally, Díaz-Struck has played a pivotal role as the leader of ICIJ’s data and research team, overseeing a diverse group of experts. Together, they have meticulously scrutinized millions of records, establishing seamless cooperation with journalists to acquire public data from numerous jurisdictions through record requests. Furthermore, their efforts have resulted in the creation of invaluable datasets and resources, empowering reporters worldwide. Díaz-Struck’s responsibilities have also encompassed spearheading ICIJ’s partnerships in Latin America, contributing significantly to the expansion of the consortium’s network within the region.

Díaz-Struck embarked on her journalistic journey in Venezuela, where she played a pioneering role in the field of data journalism and forged collaborations for investigative reporting. Additionally, she co-established the renowned investigative newsroom, Armando.info, and held a position as a professor at the esteemed Central University of Venezuela.

During her tenure at the Press and Society Institute of Venezuela (IPYS Venezuela), she served as an investigative reporter and coordinator, lending her expertise to fundraising initiatives.

Díaz-Struck’s contributions extend to various esteemed news organizations, including the Washington Post, El Universal, and El Mundo in Venezuela. She also served as a reporter in residence at the New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University and CONNECTAS. Moreover, she was invited as a guest lecturer at Columbia University.

Assuming the role of executive director, Díaz-Struck now takes charge of a network that has witnessed remarkable growth under the guidance of Kaplan and the board of directors at GIJN.

Since its establishment in 2003, GIJN has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its membership from 35 nonprofit organizations to an impressive 244 spread across 90 countries by 2022. With a dedicated presence in 24 countries, the organization’s annual budget for 2022 reached a substantial sum of US$2.3 million.

GIJN’s influence and reach extend beyond its member base, as evidenced by its extensive social media following, which exceeds 400,000 individuals. Furthermore, the organization’s commitment to fostering journalistic excellence is evident in its extensive training initiatives. Over the years, GIJN has successfully trained over 15,000 journalists through a series of conferences, workshops, and webinars, starting from 2012.

Recognizing the importance of supporting journalists from developing and transitioning nations, GIJN has also awarded over 1,000 conference fellowships to deserving individuals hailing from these regions. This initiative aims to provide opportunities and resources to aspiring journalists who face unique challenges in their professional journeys.

In order to empower journalists worldwide, GIJN has developed a comprehensive multilingual resource center. This online hub serves as a repository of knowledge, housing more than 1,500 invaluable tip sheets, reporting guides, and instructional videos. Journalists hailing from 140 countries rely on this resource center on a daily basis, accessing the wealth of information it provides.