Our Team: The People Behind California Today

A native of Mill Valley in Northern California, Mac earned his undergraduate degree in literature from the University of San Francisco and later attended the creative writing master’s program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Before turning to journalism, he spent several years teaching English and working in academic administration New York City, experiences that shaped his interest in how institutions—whether schools, governments, or media—function in people’s lives.

Mac’s reporting background includes work in sports compliance and the legal side of betting regulation, which honed his attention to detail and his skepticism toward easy narratives. At California Today, he brings that same precision to coverage that connects environmental science, public policy, and everyday experience. His leadership is defined by curiosity, structure, and a belief that good reporting is, above all else, accountable to its readers.

Born in Massachusetts and raised in Washington D.C., Jennifer is a Stanford graduate with degrees in American Studies and Communications. She began her career in television and radio before becoming a special projects producer at ABC 7 in San Francisco, where she earned multiple Emmy® Awards and developed a reputation for uncovering stories that connect policy, climate, and community impact.

At California Today, Jennifer’s coverage ranges from conservation features on native plants and wildlife to explanatory guides that help readers understand the intersection of legislation and everyday life. Her reporting continues to reflect the same core values that have guided her career: clarity, empathy, and accountability to the public.

A Bay Area native and UC Santa Cruz graduate, Pat oversees California Today’s coverage of business and the economy, bringing a clear-eyed approach to stories about markets, labor, and consumer life. Before joining the newsroom, he spent several years covering California’s wine industry, work that deepened his understanding of how business, agriculture, and culture intersect.

His stories on skiing, outdoor recreation, and the state’s live music culture reflect the same curiosity and precision that define his work on the business desk—showing how Californians build, spend, and find joy in equal measure.

Dr. Trimpey earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of San Francisco, where her research explored public health, neuropsychology, and cognitive development. She has presented at major conferences, including the American Psychological Association’s Annual Convention, and led cognitive assessment teams both in the U.S. and abroad.

At California Today, Dr. Trimpey writes evidence-based guides on social services, education policy, and corporate human development. She also covers mental health, nutrition, and fitness, translating research into accessible reporting that helps readers make informed choices about how they live and work. Whether she’s breaking down new studies or explaining how systems can better support people’s wellbeing, Dr. Trimpey’s writing brings depth and clarity to subjects often hidden behind technical language.

Liam holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Central European University, along with an M.A. in Philosophy, an Honours degree in Philosophy, an LL.B. in Law, and a B.A. in Philosophy and History. His academic work spans metaphilosophy, the philosophy of mind, and comparative philosophy, disciplines that inform his rigorous, methodical approach to complex legal and ethical issues.

At California Today, Liam examines government spending, compliance frameworks, and public-records investigations with a focus on transparency and accessibility. His research-driven writing clarifies how regulation shapes daily life and why accountability in governance matters. Dividing his time between the United States, Austria, and Australia, he brings a genuinely international perspective to questions of policy and principle.