Mentor of the Year: Corinne Chin
Corinne Chin is the Director of News Talent for recruitment at the Associated Press, working to build and mentor a competitive, diverse and inclusive global newsroom. She is also a national Emmy Award-winning video journalist. As a Senior Video Journalist at The Seattle Times, Corinne founded the newsroom’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. She has also worked as a Senior Video Producer for CNN. Her work has been recognized by the Emmys, National Edward R. Murrow Awards, Online News Association, National Press Photographers Association's Best of Photojournalism, Pictures of the Year International and more. Corinne is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School (MSJ and BSJ), Poynter’s Leadership Academies for Women and Diversity, Maynard 200, ASNE/NLA Emerging Leaders Institute and the IWMF Next Gen Safety Trainers fellowship. She is a co-director of AAJA Women and Non-Binary Voices.
ABOUT THE WINNER: Corinne Chin, a longtime AAJA Seattle board member and past chapter president, exemplifies the power of mentorship in creating opportunities for people of color in the industry.
“One of the qualities that sets Corinne apart as a mentor is her unwavering consistency,” a nominator said. “She has shown a steadfast commitment to supporting and uplifting people of color, both within and outside of AAJA, throughout the years. Her dedication to mentorship has resulted in tangible positive impacts on individuals, chapters, and organizations.”
“Corinne's mentorship extends beyond her official roles and responsibilities. She goes above and beyond to create a safe and inclusive space for mentees, offering emotional support, listening with empathy, and providing valuable advice based on her own experiences. She leads by example, demonstrating the importance of representation and diversity in the media industry, and actively works towards breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.”
“I have personally been a beneficiary of Corinne's mentorship since 2017. She has inspired and taught me how to advocate for DEI within a historically white organization by encouraging me to speak up constantly, ensuring that my face is seen and my voice is heard. She has pushed me to dream bigger and strive for positions and fellowships that I previously thought were out of reach. I consider her a friend and a mentor.”