With more than a decade of experience in broadcast journalism and communication strategies, Liliana Soto is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and telling stories that matter.
A graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, she has built a career on investigative reporting, bilingual storytelling, and creating impactful, community-centered journalism.
From leading groundbreaking investigative projects to serving as Press Secretary to the Governor of Arizona or as a Senior Public Affairs Specialist at Mayo Clinic, her career spans both public and private sectors.
Whether acting as a consultant, keynote speaker, Journalism Professor or advisor, Liliana brings a bicultural, bilingual perspective to every project.
Liliana’s biggest Accomplishment is being the proud mother of her daughter andrea and strives to motivate young mothers to pursue a higher education.
Press Secretary
Liliana currently serves as a Press Secretary to the Office of the Arizona Governor, a role that allows her to fuse her expertise in communications with strategic messaging on critical issues in both English and Spanish. This position demands adaptability, precision, and the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences under extreme pressure and tight deadlines. Liliana’s work focuses on ensuring transparency, engaging with media outlets in English and Spanish, media relations, appearing on television in both pre-recorded and live interviews in Spanish, and strategizing to shape narratives that resonate across various platforms. Her dedication to clear and impactful communication plays a vital role in connecting the Governor’s office with the public.
Journalism Educator
As an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona and Assistant Director for the school’s Bilingual Journalism Program, Liliana inspired the next generation of journalists. She contributed significantly to the development of innovative curricula that integrated traditional journalism techniques with emerging digital media skills.
Liliana also played a pivotal role in the development of the University of Arizona School of Journalism's first news studio, serving as the director and lead designer for the project. She led the initiative to acquire the school's first real-time motion graphics software, a tool extensively used in live broadcasts, sports productions, and studio settings. Liliana was also instrumental in securing the school's first newsroom computer system, providing students with hands-on experience in creating broadcast scripts and rundowns. This innovation ensured graduates gained practical skills in media technology, aligning their education with the standards of professional newsrooms.
Liliana’s dedication ensured that students not only honed their storytelling capabilities, but also gained hands-on experience with the latest industry technologies, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering educator in the field of journalism. During her tenure As Junior faculty, Liliana was awarded the Hugh and Jan Harelson Award for teaching excellence and also collaborated with the Center for Border and Global Journalism and The Franke Honors College.
Award-Winning Reporting
Liliana has been honored with nine Emmy Awards, A regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and a national Online Journalism Award for her work as a journalist. Her contributions include uncovering stories of abuse of authority, exposing a potential serial predator, and shedding light on the challenges marginalized communities face when seeking help.
Bilingual Storytelling Leader
As the first multimedia journalist at ABC15 Arizona to report in both English and Spanish, Liliana bridged language gaps by creating a Spanish-language section of the station’s website. Her reporting during the pandemic further expanded access to vital information for Spanish-speaking communities.
Expertise in Diversity-Centered Reporting
Specializing in immigration, border issues, and Latin culture, Liliana has worked as a reporter and news anchor for Univision, Telemundo, and NBC Universal. Her passion for storytelling rooted in diverse voices continues to inform the work she does today.
Freelance and Advisory Work
Liliana is a proud member of organizations like RIAS Berlin in Germany and Brussels, IRE, RTDNA, SPJ, and NAHJ, she has mentored and advised various programs, advancing professional development for journalists globally. Liliana served as a mentor for The Latino Reporter program at NAHJ and as an advisor for the Water Whys initiative at the University of Arizona. She was a member of the advisory board for the Radio/Audio Production program at EVIT and contributed her expertise as a board member for WINN (Women in the News Network) where journalists from various Latin American countries: Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and even England working in high profile media such as BBC Mundo, La Nación de Argentina, El Mercurio, CNN, Forbes, among others collaborate to break gaps in media.