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: China

  • Can the Retail Industry go Fully-AI after ‘Amazon Go’?

    Can the Retail Industry go Fully-AI after ‘Amazon Go’?

    In the heart of downtown Seattle lies Amazon Go — a store concept that grabbed headlines after its beta phase opened to the public this year. Its concept could mean that the retail industry could slowly be powered by AI. But the idea already faces competition as tech startups emerge to introduce similar technologies to autonomous retail stores….

  • Why is TPP a Big Deal?

    Why is TPP a Big Deal?

    The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been an ongoing trade deal that was finally agreed upon by all the 12 countries. The secret deal connects 12 countries of US, Brunei, Chile, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, and Peru. The regional trade deal is already receiving mixed reviews that are focused on the environmental, labor, trade and intellectual property…

  • A Second Financial Crisis – are we in denial?

    A Second Financial Crisis – are we in denial?

    Eight years of the financial turmoil has given a reason for many debates, research, arguments, discussions and even research work to many. To many nothing has really changed, in fact to them, we might be looking at something more serious in 2016. The question that is important is whether there is any truth to the…

  • Yuan’s inclusion in SDR currency basket – 10 Quick Facts

    Yuan’s inclusion in SDR currency basket – 10 Quick Facts

    Yuan’s inclusion in IMF currency basket is a relief to China’s economy. China is on its transition path from a more state governed economy to a more market oriented one. The inclusion also marks the entry of the first emerging market in a group of developed ones.