Conecta Arizona Expands Southern Arizona Coverage with New Hire

Pivot Fund grantee Conecta Arizona is expanding its newsroom and deepening its impact in Southern Arizona. The news site hired Paula Díaz as part of Conecta Arizona’s broader growth plan, reinforcing its commitment to community-centered, independent journalism that prioritizes the needs of Arizona’s Latino and immigrant communities.

Díaz, an accomplished multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise in immigration, politics, and social justice reporting. Her work has been featured in Voice of America, Univision Arizona, Telemundo, EFE, and other leading Spanish-language media outlets. She has reported from Washington D.C., covering policy decisions that directly affect Latino and immigrant communities, and has worked extensively in Tucson, producing content for both television and print media.

Díaz will focus on delivering impactful journalism that addresses key issues such as immigration policies, labor rights, education, and healthcare access. She plans to expand Conecta Arizona’s multimedia storytelling efforts, using a combination of text, video, photo galleries, and podcasts to engage a broader audience.

Maritza Félix, CEO and Founder of Conecta Arizona, emphasized the importance of Díaz’s addition to the team:

Paula’s experience, passion, and deep understanding of immigration and social justice issues will be invaluable to our mission. Her work will not only strengthen our newsroom but also empower the communities we serve with dignity and respect. With Paula on board, we are expanding our reach, amplifying Latino voices, and ensuring that critical information reaches those who need it most in a place that has been underserved for too long.

One of Díaz’s key initiatives will be bringing Conecta Arizona’s signature “cafecitos” to Southern Arizona— the community conversations are designed to create spaces for discussion, connection, and civic engagement. These gatherings, which have been a cornerstone of Conecta Arizona’s success, provide Latino residents with a platform to ask questions, share concerns, and engage directly with journalists.

“For me, journalism is an opportunity to inform and educate people about the issues that matter to them. The main goal is to provide the community we serve with accurate information that fosters debate and reflection,” said Díaz. “I believe balanced journalism is essential in a democratic society because it promotes transparency, accountability, and the right to information.”

Díaz’s addition marks an important milestone in Conecta Arizona’s mission to build a stronger, more informed Latino community. By integrating innovative storytelling techniques and strengthening its presence in Southern Arizona, Conecta Arizona continues to set the standard for independent, bilingual journalism that prioritizes community engagement and accessibility.

Looking Ahead

With this new expansion, Conecta Arizona is poised to reach new audiences, deepen community trust, and create more opportunities for impactful storytelling. Díaz’s leadership in Southern Arizona will not only enhance Conecta Arizona’s editorial strategy but also contribute to the sustainability of independent Latino journalism.