Dawn Garcia

Dawn Garcia is the director of the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships. She is a passionate advocate and mentor for diverse and emerging leaders who are working to transform journalism around the world. She ensures the JSK Fellowships is continually evolving to stay relevant to journalism. Dawn’s leadership style is collaborative and compassionate. Her “no brilliant jerks” motto is widely quoted by JSK Fellows and alumni – so much so that some fellows put it on a needlepoint sign for her office. It sets the tone for the entire program. Dawn, who is an alum of the program, works directly with fellows as an advisor. She helps them chart career paths and personal transformations through their Stanford experience.
Earlier, as deputy director of JSK, Dawn helped lead the program’s transformation from a sabbatical model to one that coaches and challenges fellows to become innovative leaders and change agents who reinvent journalism. She also has ensured the program maintains its commit...