Noelle Leavitt Riley
Noelle Leavitt Riley is currently the editor of the Craig Daily Press in Northwest Colorado.
Her growth in media stems from learning how to handle certain situations under pressure as an editor, reporter, broadcaster and volunteer. Noelle was a pioneer of multimedia in Colorado, helping The Denver Post create, launch and maintain daily podcast from 2005 through 2006. After her venture at the Post, Noelle became the news editor of four community newspapers west of Denver operated by Landmark Community Newspapers. In 2007, she took a reporting position at the Denver Business Journal, covering hospitality, tourism, retail and aviation.
She left the journal in December 2008, to freelance and run the Forget Me Not foundation — an organization that delivers flowers to seniors in nursing homes, letting them know they are not forgotten by society. During her freelance career, Noelle was a reporter for the New York Post, was a columnist for Evergreen Newspapers and wrote for Venues Today Magazine, Out Front Colorado and Great 8 Newspapers. Additionally, Noelle helped launch Colorado Public News — an investigative news site in partnership with KBDI TV 12 in Denver.
She also works to improve and uphold the ethics and foundation of journalism as a former president of the Colorado SPJ Pro Chapter.
Prior to becoming the president of SPJ Colorado in 2008, Noelle was the chapter's programming chair for two years. Her programming efforts included bringing various authors to Denver to promote their books, such as P.J. O'Rourke, Gonzo journalist Ralph Steadman and former Washington Post reporter Myra MacPherson.
Noelle's favorite quote was penned by author Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."