Katie G. Nelson is an Emmy-nominated journalist, photographer and filmmaker from Minneapolis, MN. She covers human rights, racial justice and global health in the United States and East Africa. She is based in New York City, NY.

Katie’s work has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, BBC, Al Jazeera, Frontline PBS, Telegraph, Associated Press, Public Radio International, and The Center for Global Integrity. She is a co-owner at Far on Foot and a contributor at SOPA Images.

Trained as an investigative journalist, Katie cut her teeth as a print reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune before moving to East Africa where she was based for more than a decade. Her investigations into health care corruption, human rights abuses and political finance loopholes spurred policy changes at home and abroad.

In 2013, Katie was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that made writing nearly impossible. Faced with leaving journalism or learning to adapt, Katie picked up a camera and taught herself photography and filmmaking.

Katie is best known for her visual coverage of George Floyd’s murder for The New York Times. Her team’s video reportage earned nods from Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association, the Rory Peck News Trust and the News Leaders Association.

Their visual investigation “How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody” was nominated for a 2021 Emmy Award and remains one of the most viewed videos in New York Times’ history.

Katie has extensive experience reporting in conflict and civil unrest. She is certified in Hostile Environment and Emergency First Aid Training by RISC, with additional instruction by The Wall Street Journal and IWMF. She is trained in infectious disease prevention and medical PPE best practices.

During the pandemic, Katie served as the Vice Chair of the International Press Association of East Africa. She is committed to bringing more women and nonbinary reporters to the frontlines, and your front page.

Prior to journalism, Katie developed HIV/AIDS education curriculum for the Kenya Red Cross Society and founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support vulnerable families in western Kenya.

She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota.

In 2023, Katie enrolled in a novel neurological treatment that restored her ability to write.

She is now considered a triple threat in the newsroom.