Gina Chua

Singaporean journalist
Gina Chua
Chua in 2022
Born1960 or 1961 (age 62–63)[1]
Singapore
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
Columbia University
OccupationExecutive Editor
EmployerSemafor
Websiteginachua.me

Gina Chua is a Singaporean journalist serving as the executive editor of the media startup Semafor.[2][3] She previously served as the executive editor of the Reuters news agency.[1][4][5] A trans woman, Chua is one of the most senior openly transgender journalists in the U.S.[1]

Early life and education

Born in Singapore, Chua attended high school in the Philippines,[6] studied at the University of Chicago, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics, and Columbia University, earning a master's degree in journalism.[1][5][7]

Career

Chua's first jobs in journalism included stints at Reuters,[8] the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and the Straits Times. Chua joined the The Wall Street Journal in Manila in 1993, started the paper's Hanoi bureau in 1995[9] and in August 1997 was named editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia (known then as The Asian Wall Street Journal).[10]

Chua moved to New York in 2005 and worked as The Wall Street Journal's assistant managing editor for budget and administration until 2008.[1][5][8] In July 2009, Chua was named editor-in-chief of the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and stepped down in March 2011.[11][12]

Chua began working as an editor for Reuters in 2011 and was appointed executive editor in April 2021.[4][5] In March 2022, Chua announced she would leave Reuters to become the executive editor of Semafor, a new media startup founded by journalist Ben Smith and former Bloomberg Media Group CEO Justin B. Smith.[3][2]

Chua co-founded the Sigma Awards for data journalism with Aron Pilhofer in 2020.[5][13] She has taught graduate- and undergraduate-level classes and short training courses on the business models of journalism, computer-assisted reporting, and numeracy at New York University, Hong Kong University, and Nanyang Technological University.[9]  She also created and found funding for a fellowship to bring Asian journalists for a Masters’ in business and economic reporting at New York University.[9]

In 2021, Chua was named the inaugural recipient of the Online News Association's Impact Award for "her dedication to innovation in visual storytelling and steadfast commitment to mentor journalists and address structural issues in the industry."[14][15]

Personal life

Chua transitioned to female in late 2020.[1][5] Chua is the partner of Filipino journalist and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism director Sheila Coronel.[16] Chua has two adult children.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Robertson, Katie (June 4, 2021). "A Top Editor Becomes Her 'True Self'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Fischer, Sara (22 March 2022). "Scoop: Smiths to name new company "Semafor"". Axios. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b Robertson, Katie (15 March 2022). "Ben and Justin Smith Name Gina Chua as Executive Editor at News Start-Up". New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Eugenios, Jillian (June 1, 2021). "At the helm at Reuters, this trans executive says she's finally living in the light". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Reuters appoints Gina Chua as executive editor". Reuters. April 21, 2021. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Biographies & Speeches". sites.asiasociety.org. Archived from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  7. ^ Moffitt, Kelly; Pellerito, Jennifer (May 7, 2021). "12 Groundbreaking Asian Columbians You Should Know". Columbia News. Columbia University. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Roush, Chris (2014-01-18). "Reuters names Chua executive editor". Talking Biz News. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  9. ^ a b c "Gina Chua". www.thomsonreuters.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  10. ^ "The Society of Publishers in Asia" (PDF). sopasia.com. 2005.
  11. ^ "REG CHUA APPOINTED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST". scmp.com. 2016-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  12. ^ "South China Morning Post Editor Reginald Chua to Step Down". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  13. ^ "About - The Sigma Awards". The Sigma Awards. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  14. ^ "Gina Chua". Online Journalism Awards. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  15. ^ Rabarison, Karolle (2021-10-15). "Celebrating winners in the 2021 Online Journalism Awards". Online Journalism Awards. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  16. ^ "Sister act: Coronel girls in the limelight". Lifestyle.INQ. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2024-05-11.