April 14, 2020

Sharene Azimi is a specialist in strategy and communications for cause-oriented organizations. As Communications Director for INN, she works to increase awareness of the growing field of nonprofit news.

“I am amazed and encouraged by the growth of nonprofit journalism over the past decade,” Azimi said. “I look forward to sharing the story of how nonprofit news organizations have fulfilled the need for information in communities around the country, and how they have uncovered truths that traditional news outlets have missed.”

Prior to joining INN in 2020, Azimi spent a decade as founder and principal of Mission Communications, providing organizational strategy, branding, communications planning, and marketing services to non-profits, universities, and foundations. Mission’s clients included The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Health Federation of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Rutgers School of Social Work, and the Consensus Building Institute.

Azimi was previously a vice president at Fenton, the country’s leading public-interest communications agency, where her roster of clients included organizations working on women’s rights, global development, urban poverty, and religious tolerance. Azimi began her career in the environmental movement as a writer, editor and publications director.

Azimi has spoken on cause-oriented communications to audiences at the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Annenberg School for Communications, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Nonprofit New York, and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia. She received a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University and is highly proficient in Spanish. She lives with her family in Central New Jersey.

“The grassroots growth of nonprofit news is an important story — and a hopeful one — to share with people seeking new sources of trusted news as well as journalists exploring growth in nonprofit news models,” said Sue Cross, INN’s executive director and CEO. “Sharene Azimi brings tremendous experience to advancing the cause of news. With her expertise, INN can do more to help the public as well as journalists benefit from the new opportunities in public service news.”