Meet Our Team

Andy is the director and editor of Matter News. The former editor of Columbus Alive, he has also written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Spin, and more.

Cassie Young is a co-founder and board chair of Matter News. She attended Miami University and later earned master’s degrees in social work and public policy from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she has worked across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, bringing experience in public service, community engagement, and business development. She has also led the planning and execution of local events, including multimedia arts festivals that celebrate creativity and community connection.

Jack Long is newsletter production editor at Fortune magazine, having previously worked at Dispatch magazines as an assistant digital editor and at WOSU Public Media as a podcast producer.

Carolina is a data scientist who has lived in Columbus since 2009. She has a BA in finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in political science from the Ohio State University. She is a resident of Italian Village and is on the board of the Italian Village Society where her focus is community reform in how we approach safety in the Short North. Carolina is also an active member of the Notre Dame Club of Columbus, the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, and Columbus Predictive Modelers, and has worked to raise money for abortion and immigrants.

Ash Steward is the Global Head of Marketing for ZHEN., an art tech company that focuses on art ownership authentication. They have spent nearly two decades serving the Columbus arts community in various ways, from studying art at The Ohio State University to holding studio space at Junctionview Studios, to working at Columbus College of Art & Design, and to volunteering at 934 Gallery. They have previously served on the board of Columbus SOUP and currently, they serve on the board of 934 Gallery.

Melissa Starker is a freelance journalist, marketer, and independent film programmer who’s lived in Columbus since 1994. Her background includes over 20 years working in film presentation, a decade-long stint as an editor at the late alt weekly Columbus Alive; and nine years as creative content & PR manager for the Wexner Center for the Arts. Starker currently publishes the Screen Addiction newsletter covering local screenings and partners with filmmakers and nonprofits to support independent film in Columbus.

Ben Ferree is a Civil Rights Investigator at the Ohio State University. He has lived in Columbus since 2008 and is a former freelance journalist and author.  He is passionate about the future of journalism and LGBTQ+ rights.

Meg McCahill is the Marketing & Development Manager at the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio. She has lived in Columbus for nearly a decade, previously working in education and organizing. She is a graduate of Ohio University and the University of Denver, having earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts in Arts and Culture Management and Advocacy. She currently serves on the board of the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra.

Cassie Young is a co-founder and board chair of Matter News. She attended Miami University and later earned master’s degrees in social work and public policy from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she has worked across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, bringing experience in public service, community engagement, and business development. She has also led the planning and execution of local events, including multimedia arts festivals that celebrate creativity and community connection.

Jaelynn is one of Grey Matter Media and Matter News’ cofounders. She formerly served as the editor-in-chief for Matter and managing director of parent company GMM, and is now a volunteer contributor for Matter’s DevelopUS investigation. Jaelynn has worked for Mother Jones Magazine, Honolulu Civil Beat, and other news publications over the last decade.

Marisa Twigg is the co-founder and managing editor of Matter News. For more than six years, she has created impactful visual media content professionally in both the public and private sectors. With an emphasis on photojournalism, Marisa weaves still visuals with written narratives to immerse readers in the stories she produces. She graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in environmental policy and decision making, focusing on journalism, environmental and social justice. Outside of work, Marisa is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature enthusiast. She lives in Hilltop, and enjoys biking the Olentangy Trail, hiking Zaleski State Forest or kayaking Ohio’s beautiful lakes and scenic rivers.