Jean Friedman-Rudovsky is a Philadelphia native and is passionate about journalism’s vital role in creating a fair and just society. She co-founded Resolve Philadelphia in 2018, with the hope that sustained collaborative, engaged solutions reporting would help bring about a more informed and inspired city. During 2017, she was the project editor of The Reentry Project, Resolve’s pilot initiative, which focused on the challenges of – and solutions to – prisoner reentry. Prior to that, Jean was an award-winning freelance journalist, having spent more than a decade reporting from the Global South and specializing in longform investigative and solutions pieces. She’s a Vice Magazine contributing editor and has been published in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Cosmopolitan and Bloomberg Businessweek, among others.
Cassie Haynes is an accomplished leader and co-founder of Resolve Philly, a renowned nonprofit organization fostering collaboration and innovation in journalism. With a passion for social impact and amplifying excluded voices, she has transformed local news through innovative initiatives that bridge the gap between journalists and marginalized communities. Cassie’s exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision have garnered widespread recognition, making her a respected figure in the media landscape. She holds degrees in classical theater, public health and law, driving her mission to redefine the relationship between social policy and storytelling. During her tenure at Resolve Philly, Cassie spearheaded collaborative journalism initiatives and established groundbreaking reporting and community engagement projects, raising over $10M in just under five years alongside Resolve’s co-founder, Jean Friedman-Rudovsky. She continues to be a force for change, advising media organizations on revenue strategy, consulting on community engagement and advocating for a more inclusive media landscape.
As co-founders and co-Executive Directors, Jean and Cassie: