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Derek Simmons

Visual Journalism · Art Direction · Investigative Storytelling

Minneapolis, MN

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summary

Visual journalist with 30 years building visual storytelling systems at the Los Angeles Times (top winner worldwide, SND) and Star Tribune (top 3 worldwide, first CCO/VP). Five investigative series, five legislative outcomes. Built the process that produced a Pulitzer finalist and the visual system behind the Star Tribune's 2021 Pulitzer for Breaking News. 1,000+ career awards spanning local, national, and international competitions.

core competencies

Illustration Commissioning Art Direction Photo Editing & Direction Investigative Visual Storytelling Data Visualization Cross-Platform Visual Strategy Typography & Design HTML / CSS / JavaScript Editorial Product Development Program Building International Artist Network Team Leadership (55+)

experience

Founder & Principal Consultant Nov 2024 – Present
CW Strategies LLC, Minneapolis, MN
  • Consulting for Cascadia Daily News — visual strategy, audience development, editorial products
  • Built claudewill.io from scratch using AI-assisted tools — HTML, CSS, vanilla JS, serverless, Anthropic AI
  • Board member, Press Or Media (journalism credentialing standards)
Executive Director, New Products & Digital Strategy Feb 2023 – Oct 2024
Star Tribune Media Company, Minneapolis, MN
  • Served as newsroom AI champion; senior leadership team
  • Part of the team that rebranded to Minnesota Star Tribune and rewrote the mission, vision, and values
Chief Creative Officer & VP / AME, Visuals Dec 2013 – Feb 2023
Star Tribune Media Company, Minneapolis, MN
  • Built the visual storytelling process for five investigative series — five legislative outcomes, including a Pulitzer finalist that changed four laws
  • Commissioned illustration, negotiated archival rights, and directed commemorative coverage that launched the Star Tribune Magazine
  • Built the system the newsroom used to win the 2021 Pulitzer for Breaking News after moving to the business side
  • Led Star Tribune into SND top 3 worldwide; hired 50 journalists in two years; 55-person team
Deputy Design Director Mar 2007 – Dec 2013
Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
  • Top winner worldwide (SND) for the better part of a decade; 125+ awards
  • LA Press Club Designer of the Year; Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing (POYi, staff)
  • Directed visual coverage across breaking news, commemorative, investigative, and Olympic events
  • Part of the newsroom for two Pulitzer Prize-winning investigations

education

B.S., Journalism & Mass Communication — Kansas State University

Executive Certificate, Customer Experience — Minnesota State University Mankato

Executive Training — Poynter Institute · Yale University · Leiden University

what colleagues say

“He made us better.” — Los Angeles Times

“He's clear on what he needs from me, but flexible in how I deliver it. He stands up for his artists and creates lasting loyal relationships.” — Robert Carter, illustrator

“Thank God you're a team player. It's so rare.” — Cascadia Daily News

Full recommendations and references available upon request.