For our December Coffee & Conversation with Head of School Suzanne Fogarty, Chapin welcomed back alumnae Kibriyaá Morgan ’16, Riley Neubauer ’21 and Tess Tarantino ’16 for a thoughtful discussion about their careers in journalism and media.
This conversation built naturally upon the themes explored at other Coffee & Conversations earlier this year. In September, members of the Professional Community (PC) across all divisions discussed civil discourse. In November, members of Chapin’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG), made up of PC members from across divisions and departments, conversed about AI and shared the principles and guidelines surrounding AI use at Chapin.
Each alumna taking part in the December discussion had different backgrounds and paths in media. Each shared their personal journeys that set the stage for an engaging and insightful conversation. Riley is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public History at Royal Holloway, University of London, while working as a Senior Writer and Researcher for the podcast History That Doesn't Suck. Tess works as an Executive Producer at NY1 and is the leading development of a new show set to launch soon. Kibriyaá works at the Morning Brew podcast as Associate Director of Content Business Operations where she oversees the monetization of podcasts, multimedia and newsletters.
During the discussion, the panelists explored important questions such as: What does it mean to be a woman in the world of journalism today? What is media fluency and why is it so important, particularly in the world of AI? and How did your time at Chapin shape the way you think about civil discourse as journalists and writers? Each alum reflected on her experiences across different forms of media, including podcasting, television and writing.
Despite their varied paths, all three specified their Chapin education as a grounding force in their careers, pointing to specific classes, lessons, teachers and mentors — many of whom were in attendance at the event — that left lasting impressions on them. Tess said, “I graduated from Chapin as a global citizen.”
Kibriyaá reflected on how Chapin taught her to ask the right questions: Who is being left out? What can we add to this story? She emphasized that the skills she developed at Chapin — learning how to make claims, support them with evidence and think critically — are “the same muscles” she uses daily in her work
As the conversation turned to media consumption, Ms. Fogarty asked the panelists where they got their news. Tess explained that while she relies on several trusted sources, she stressed how there is value in conversation and “having discussions with people who have different perspectives than you.”
The conversation then expanded beyond individual experiences to the responsibilities of journalists in today’s media landscape, as Ms. Fogarty asked about the ethical dilemmas that each alum faces in their work. Riley highlighted the importance of responsible sourcing and interpreting information ethically to ensure that facts and perspectives are accurately represented. In the History That Doesn't Suck podcast, Riley and her team go as far as to include sound effects and background sounds that were taken from the site of the event or source they are featuring. Every aspect is accurate and a part of the story.
Tess added another layer, explaining the weight of editor decision-making in television journalism: How do you decide what goes on TV? What deserves airtime? She went on to share that Ayana Harry ’01, a fellow Chapin alum also working at NY1, has been a source of inspiration — noting the many connections back to Chapin.
The alums spoke about learning to speak up and stand firmly in their beliefs during their time at Chapin. “It keeps coming back to our school,” Kibriyaá said, reflecting on how Chapin instilled confidence and analytical skills that continue to guide her work. The panelists described how Chapin not only taught them how to think critically, but also how to take up space and use their voices confidently. Kibriyaá emphasized how important it is for women to take up space in journalism and the world — and that Chapin helped them learn how. At the same time, she stressed the importance of curiosity and humility. “People know more than me,” she said, highlighting the value in asking questions and showing up ready to learn. Riley echoed this sentiment, sharing, “I learned agency and confidence at Chapin — in my classes, from the Professional Community and from my peers.”
After an exciting 45-minute conversation, Ms. Fogarty and the panelists encouraged the guests, which included current Chapin parents, alum, mentors and members of the PC, to ask questions. Associate Head of Middle School (MS) and Director of MS Academic Technology Trude Goodman shared that she will be teaching media literacy in the Middle School and asked what they feel is most crucial for her students to learn now. The panelists agreed on the importance of open, ongoing conversations about media. Tess suggested creating a “toolbox” for students — learning how to read a source, question its credibility and fact-check information thoughtfully, especially with regard to AI.
As the event came to a close, Ms. Fogarty thanked the distinguished alum guests, saying how enlightening it was to hear from each of them. These Chapin’s alumnae journalists left a lasting impact, offering wisdom, confidence and inspiration. Through their words and experiences, they also demonstrated how Chapin’s program and its values continue to resonate beyond the School’s halls.
