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Articles by

Jayo Miko Macasaquit

Chief People Officer (He/Him/They)

I’m Jayo Miko Macasaquit, the chief people officer at The 19th. Since 2021, I’ve led our people and culture strategy with a focus on equity, care and sustainability. I’ve spent nearly 15 years building people systems in mission-driven organizations grounded in the belief that workplaces can be more just, more human and truly built for people to thrive. Most recently I worked at Mother Jones and the Oakland Public Education Fund.

I have a BA in psychology, an MFA in writing and a wealth of experience in HR, operations and organizational change. I was a 2019 Equity in Leadership Fellow with the Surge Institute and earned an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School in 2024. My approach is trauma-informed and equity-driven, and I believe even the most complex things can be tackled one bite at a time. I truly believe in the work we’re doing at The 19th, and could not imagine doing this work with anyone else.

I’m a former board member of Kearny Street Workshop, a lifelong writer, a home cook and a constant gardener. I live in San Antonio with my partner and our two dogs, Lyla and Whirley.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

Latest from Jayo Miko Macasaquit

The 19th hires Poorvaja Rajagopalan as our new Development Associate for Philanthropy

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · September 30, 2022
Julie Bogen is The 19th's new audience engagement editor

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · July 1, 2022
The 19th hires two new designers: Rena Li and Vanessa Gregorchik

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · June 23, 2022
Kari Cobham to lead The 19th’s new Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship

Cobham brings two decades of journalism experience to our ground-breaking program for HBCU students and graduates.

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · April 19, 2022
The 19th adds a People Operations Manager and Events Producer to our growing team

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · March 22, 2022
Ben Werdmuller joins The 19th as our first Chief Technology Officer

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · March 11, 2022
Three more staff members to join The 19th this month

A development and revenue associate, a climate and sustainability reporter, and a new chief financial officer will join the 19th roster in the coming weeks

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · January 7, 2022
Our newsroom is growing — again

In January, The 19th will add two audience engagement producers, a digital producer and a data visuals reporter to our growing staff

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · December 17, 2021
The 19th welcomes Nadra Nittle, our new education reporter

Nadra brings more than 15 years of experience to our critical gender and education beat.

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · October 15, 2021
The 19th adds a photo editor, caregiving reporter to its newsroom

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Lydia Chebbine, our photo editor, and Sara Luterman, our caregiving reporter, to The 19th newsroom.

Jayo Miko Macasaquit · August 18, 2021