Meet the Team

Mary Helen is the editor and creator of Chattamatters. A native Chattanoogan, she is an experienced journalist and storyteller. Her work has appeared on public radio (WUTC Chattanooga, WPLN Nashville, Here & Now from WBUR), as well as in The Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Christian Science Monitor, and on podcasts (Criminal, Slate Magazine). Awards include a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting. 

Ian-Alijah is an experienced visual design artist with a background in video production and graphic design. He was born and raised in Chattanooga, where he grew a love for storytelling and cinematography. He served as a creative producer for Chattamatters from pre-launch in 2021 until 2026. 

William is an award-winning journalist and editor focused on communicating important topics in a way that’s accessible to everyone. He served as a writer and producer for Chattamatters from 2022 to 2026.

Before coming to Chattanooga, he received his master’s degree from the University of Georgia and wrote for his hometown paper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.