Sofia Gonzalez

Experience  

             

Food and Travel Editor, Houstonia Magazine

March 2024 to April 2026

• Pitched and developed longer stories and timely pieces under print and digital deadlines, covering Houston’s dining scene, local culture, travel, and events. This included Michelin coverage, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals as it pertains to chefs, the James Beard Awards, features on restaurants, and contributing to recurring columns such as Bayougraphy, The Classics, Restaurant Openings & Closings, and Eat, Drink, Hou

• Covered major cultural and culinary events, delivering on-site reporting and same-day stories with accuracy and speed

• Built a network of sources to create engaging profiles and features

• Utilized a content management system to layout online stories, often choosing and captioning digital assets to help bring stories to life beyond the text

• Consistently generated top-performing stories for the digital site

• Worked with the editor-in-chief and copy editors to craft SEO and social headlines

• Created service-driven digital assets to drive reader growth

• Amplified content with a weekly newsletter titled “Where’s Dinner?”

• Collaborated with editors and art director to shape editorial strategy and seasonal coverage

• Supported print production, including the review of galleys, fact-checking, and proofing layouts

• Managed and supported freelancers, often handling the contract and invoice process, as well as editing for digital and print

 

Economic Development, Education and DEI Reporter, Houston Business Journal August 2022 to March 2024

• Pitched and wrote two stories daily based on city and county meetings, breaking news, new developments on campuses and stories with an angle that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion, mostly on the underserved communities in Houston to highlight important business news that was of interest/necessary knowledge to CEOs and other leaders

• Covered local school districts with a focus on Houston ISD and the state’s takeover. Responsibilities included attending board meetings with state appointed board of managers, as well as media briefings to build a network with surrounding teacher groups and community advocates — gaining trust to report on the facts

• Wrote longer people profiles and cover stories using exclusive interviews for print publication, often to highlight diversity

• Attended several networking and community events to build source network, gather story ideas, and stay knowledgeable of the most pertinent issues on my beat

• Worked several HBJ events, including Most Admired CEOs, Women Who Mean Business Awards, and 40 Under 40 Awards

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Houston City Hall Reporter, Community Impact Newspaper | January 2022 to August 2022

• Attended weekly Houston City Council meetings to pitch stories based on the council agenda, keeping readers up to date within the coverage area on different funding initiatives, transportation projects, and change in ordinances

• Assisted with Houston ISD stories for print edition

• Built a network with City Council Members and other City employees to help with cold calls and story ideas

• Attended Super Neighborhood meetings to form a connection with the community

• Worked on longer in-depth leads for print publications

• Took photos and worked with graphic designer to achieve a visual for print publications

• Additional responsibilities included keeping up with businesses that were new, coming soon, or recently closed, as well as writing features for businesses and restaurants in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose area