Deena Zaidi


Data Journalist

Hi!

A data journalist with over 10 years of writing and reporting experience. I’ve had the pleasure of working for a local news paper in Seattle for about 2.5 years, after which I worked as a data visual journalist around two years in a leading broadcast news room in Canada.

I’ve written a wide range of stories— from hidden COVID-19 fatalities and rising Omicron numbers to immigration backlogs to soaring inflation and real estate markets. I am comfortable with mapping tools and have created multimedia interactives through ESRI’s GIS interface. These stories included “50 Years Later: Expulsion from Uganda” and “Canadian Urban Skies Turn Lethal for Migratory Birds“.

Prior to CTVNews, I wrote data-driven stories for, Seattle’s Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ)—one of the 44 markets of American City Business Journals. I also maintained the database for the local market which were published as weekly lists. The role involved fact-checking and in-depth research through surveys and phone calls. These lists ranked regional businesses on different metrics and were eventually compiled into the Annual Book of Lists.

Early in my career, I wrote extensively for various digital publications such as TheStreet.com, VentureBeat, Seeking Alpha, BuzzFeed, and Truthout with bylines in Reuters, Yahoo Finance, and MSN Money. I’ve authored a working paper on “The role of credit rating agencies in the Eurozone debt crisis” for Global Credit Review at the University of Singapore.

As a data journalist, I am always keen to look at the investigative side of stories where data is fundamental. My strength lies in data-driven stories that look beyond the numbers published in public records. I have solid experience in data analytics, with experience in mapping and creating interactive visuals.

I have an MSc. in International Banking and Finance from the University of Durham, England, and an MBA in Finance from ICFAI Business School, India. I hold a certificate in Data Analytics from Northeastern University and have been a part of a data bootcamp hosted by Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. (IRE) in Seattle.

Feel free to browse through my portfolio.

stories written

years of experience

words written

Tag: markets

  • Starbucks Just Made Your Coffee Experience More Innovative

    Starbucks Just Made Your Coffee Experience More Innovative

    When Starbucks (SBUX) announced the closure of all of its 379 Teavana stores by the spring of 2018, it came as a warning signal to many analysts. But for long-term investors, Starbucks future growth prospects could look more promising. Acquired in 2012 for $620 million, Teavana stores are set to close due to declining foot…

  • The Rise & Impact of Social Media in The US

    The Rise & Impact of Social Media in The US

    Social Media Platforms have become an important part of our daily lives. Over a period of time, the use of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Snap has evolved. Initially, the use of these platforms was meant more for connecting with friends and sharing information. But now these established firms are integrating activities that range from…

  • Stock Market Performance During An Election Year

    Stock Market Performance During An Election Year

    The anxiety over election uncertainty has sneaked into markets, leaving enough room for a bigger market volatility for this week. The CBOE Volatility Index (.VIX) had already soared 40% from 15.67 on October 28 to 22.15 on November 3, while S&P 500 has lost 2.2% during the same period. On Friday, the S&P 500 index remained…

  • Trump Presidency — Will Markets Draw Parallels to The Brexit?

    Trump Presidency — Will Markets Draw Parallels to The Brexit?

    On August 18, 2016, Donald J. Trump tweeted, “They will soon be calling me Mr. Brexit.” Markets may agree. The uncertainty of November 8 vote may impact markets similar to the EU Referendum, which resulted in the Brexit. The vote to leave the EU went against most economists’ perpetual warnings of a Brexit. The former…