Kaleah Mcilwain

About

I’m a digital editor and audience engagement strategist with over five years of experience optimizing content for digital, broadcast, and radio platforms. I specialize in helping newsrooms better connect with their audiences, resulting in increased engagement, furthering reach, more unique visitors and conversions to subscribers. My experience includes: curating breaking news, crafting compelling headlines, and developing data-informed audience engagement plans that prioritize real impact. I’ve had the opportunity to work across multiple newsrooms — including NBC10 Philadelphia and St. Louis Public Radio — curating homepages, managing content strategies for major events, and experimenting with new forms of digital storytelling to better connect with diverse audiences. My approach is simple: be audience-driven, data-informed, and always open to innovation. I’m passionate about finding new ways to meet audiences where they are, whether that’s rethinking headline strategy, building transparency through behind-the-scenes reporting, or tailoring storytelling for emerging platforms. Most recently, I’ve been focused on roles that combine news judgment and audience strategy. I'm excited to continue helping newsrooms transform digitally and grow their reach — while always keeping the audience at the center.