THE TEAM
Natasha Baldin
Editor-in-ChiefNatasha Baldin is the Charlatan’s Editor-in-Chief and a fourth-year journalism and linguistics student.
Hailing from suburban Ottawa, Natasha fell into journalism to combine her passions for writing and storytelling, and has since developed an affinity for seeking community-oriented stories that would otherwise go untold. She has written for publications such as the Ottawa Citizen, Black Press Media and THIS Magazine.
After serving as the Charlatan’s former arts editor and copy editor, Natasha is thrilled to step into this role to help young journalists find their wings.
When she’s not obsessing over her never-ending to-do list, you can usually find Natasha at the climbing gym, curled up on the couch with a fantasy book or boring her friends with her latest linguistics fact.
You can reach Natasha via email.
Abyssinia Abebe
Podcast HostAbyssinia “Aby” Abebe is one of the Charlatan’s podcast co-hosts and a third-year journalism student minoring in law. Abyssinia is most fascinated with creating impactful journalistic pieces, whether that be in print or audio.
In addition to being an active contributing member of the Charlatan’s previous volumes, Abyssinia served as an Associate Editor for Her Campus Carleton magazine, hosted The Raven’s Orbit and is currently working in the Travel and Tourism department at StatCan as an Analyst and Researcher.
Combining her journalism degree, Abyssinia aims to expand on her knowledge of the law. She hopes to work as a media lawyer and a long-form feature writer.
In her free time, Aby likes to lift heavy weights at the gym, is obsessed with rewatching all 20 (and counting) seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, and finds peace in practicing Yoga.
You can reach Aby via email.Janson Duench
Copy EditorJanson Duench is the Charlatan’s copy editor and a fourth-year journalism and humanities student.
Previously the Charlatan’s sports editor, Janson is an avid hockey fan with words in The Hockey News and FanSided.
Away from the rink, Janson greatly enjoys baking, riding public transit (outside of Ottawa), exploring the outdoors and getting lost in a Wikipedia black hole.
You can reach Janson via email.Alisha Velji
Graphics EditorAlisha Velji is the Charlatan’s graphics editor and a third-year IMD (Interactive Multimedia & Design) student.
From Ajax, Ont., Alisha originally chose to pursue a degree in computer science before transferring to IMD after her first year to follow through on her passion for visual art. She is excited to take on the role as graphics editor again this year!
When not doodling, you can find her at a local café sipping an iced coffee while catching up on a good thriller book or geeking out over Taylor Swift.
You can reach Alisha via email.Alexa Mackie
Managing EditorAlexa MacKie is the Charlatan’s managing editor and a third-year journalism and law student.
She’s particularly interested in review writing as well as arts and community-centred stories with intersectional perspectives. Alexa contributed regularly to the Charlatan’s previous volumes and has additional bylines in Intermission Magazine, Apartment 613, the Glebe Report and Her Campus Carleton. She also works on the communications team at the CRTC.
After school, she hopes to travel and pursue a career in arts reporting.
When she isn’t hunting down a story, Alexa is usually knitting while watching her favourite films or Formula 1, crying to Broadway cast recordings, reading novels, or opening a spreadsheet to plan her next travel adventure.
You can reach Alexa via email.Matteo Golin
Multimedia & Web EditorMatteo Golin is the Charlatan's multimedia and web editor, and a fourth-year computer systems engineering student.
Matteo has been with the Charlatan for three years, and when he's not working on the Charlatan's web presence, he can be found leading a team of engineers in the development of high powered rockets.
Matteo is originally from Edmonton, but grew up in Ottawa. He has a passion for robotics, rocketry and being on the puter'. Despite his status as an engineer, Matteo hasn't yet betrayed the Charlatan for the Iron Times. But there are no promises.
Matteo has worked at Dell, Blackberry QNX and on multiple open-source projects. Despite never holding a job in the journalism industry, he's very proud of the Bluesfest article he wrote for the Charlatan in 2022.
You can reach Matteo via email.Murray Oliver
Photos EditorMurray Oliver is the Charlatan’s photo editor, a second-year journalism student, and a graduate of the Algonquin College photography program.
Murray has experience in sports and event photography.
When he’s not working you’ll find him drawing, watching sports or hitting the gym.
Murray hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism after university.
You can reach Murray via email.Sadeen Mohsen
Culture & Community EditorSadeen Mohsen is the Charlatan’s culture and community editor and a third-year student in journalism and political science, focusing on international relations.
As a dedicated volunteer reporter for the Charlatan, Sadeen has covered several social justice and activism issues through a cultural and student’s lens. She hopes to build the culture and community section into a space where impactful stories can be told. She has also written for several other publications, including Apt613 and the Glebe Report.
When pried off her laptop, Sadeen can be found reading, sipping iced chai lattes and binging true crime documentaries.
After J-School, she plans on pursuing a career in political and conflict reporting.
You can reach Sadeen via email.Sam Tinajero-Alvarado
Social Media ManagerSam Tinajero-Alvarado is the Charlatan’s social media manager and a first-year MA Communications student specializing in Data Science.
A graduate of the Media Production program at TMU and having worked in the marketing industry post-grad, Sam is an experienced social media marketer and content creator.
When she’s not scrolling TikTok, you can find her marathon training, reading, thrifting or re-watching Lord of The Rings.
You can reach Sam via email.Justin Ball
Podcast HostJustin Ball is one of the co-hosts of the Charlatan podcast and a third-year student in journalism and communications.
Coming from a small town on Lake Simcoe, Justin is passionate about local radio and finding ways to dive deeper into a story.
Outside the Charlatan, Justin is an avid sports fan. He is a member of the Ravens Sports Business Club where he has written several articles for the Ravens. Justin also occasionally broadcasts varsity games with the Ravens, providing colour commentary for Ravens hockey.
When not on the air, Justin is starting a new whittling project, buying more books than he can read, or watching his favourite hockey team lose.
You can reach Justin via email.Kyra Vellinga
Features EditorKyra “Ky” Vellinga is the Charlatan’s features editor and a fourth-year political science and legal studies student specializing in transnational human rights.
Originally from the shores of Lake Erie, you can usually catch Ky gabbing about environmental personhood or the latest episode of Survivor.
As the Charlatan’s former arts & culture editor and a current Canadian Law Review editor, Ky loves fusing socially-forward stories with colorful writing. Reach out anytime to chat about the beauty of extensive word counts!
You can reach Ky via email.Bianca McKeown
Arts EditorBianca McKeown is the Charlatan’s arts editor and a fourth-year journalism and humanities student from Toronto.
She is a lover of all things arts, music, philosophy, and film-related, and she's absolutely stoked to be the arts editor for 2024-25.
When she’s not catching up on school work or hanging in the humanities lounge, you can find her sipping matcha (fave drink), blinding herself watching the latest blockbuster film in IMAX or geeking out over Percy Jackson.
You can reach Bianca via email.
Maia Tustonic
News EditorMaia Tustonic is one of the Charlatan’s news editors and a third-year student in journalism and political science (international relations).
Originally from Calgary, Maia is particularly passionate about covering politics, current events and advocacy issues through a student lens.
Beyond the Charlatan, Maia has contributed as an editor and writer for the Carleton Global Review and Her Campus at Carleton. When not following a story, she can be found baking, watching Formula 1, or humming and dancing to her favourite songs.
After journalism school, Maia plans on pursuing a career in investigative journalism and political reporting.
You can reach Maia via email.Elissa Mendes
Op/Ed EditorElissa Mendes is the Charlatan's op-ed editor and a third-year journalism and health science student. She was previously one of the Charlatan's news editors.
Elissa is most passionate about journalism that platforms marginalized voices and holds institutions to account. She hopes to use the op-ed section to spark joy and debate for Charlatan readers.
Elissa also serves as a Carleton Association for Equity and Inclusion in Journalism and Media vice-president. She is currently obsessed with social determinants of health, the outdoors, folk rock and matcha. Find her on X @ElissaMendes!
You can reach Elissa via email.David Cummings
Sports EditorDavid Cummings is the Charlatan’s sports editor and a fourth-year journalism and humanities student.
Over the past year he mainly covered PWHL Ottawa for the Charlatan and is now looking forward to stepping in as sports editor. He has also written for Capital Current and worked alongside the Hockey News and the Canadian Track and Field League.
When he’s not reporting in our nation’s capital of Ottawa, David can usually be found in his hometown of Waterloo, Ont., doing nothing.
In his free time, David loves running, watching hockey, hiking, playing video games, frolicking through tall grass, cooking pulled pork, taking allergy medication so he can comfortably frolick through tall grass without sneezing or getting itchy eyes, skiing and brushing his teeth. David is also a fan of music.
David is always eager to talk about hockey, writing or anything else.
You can reach David via email.Cassandra Bellefeuille
News EditorCassandra Bellefeuille is one of the Charlatan’s news editors and a third year journalism and political science student.
She is passionate about politics and social justice and can’t wait to foster a diverse and colourful news section. Having volunteered as a reporter for the Charlatan’s news, arts, and national sections, Cassandra is excited to be stepping into this editorial role. In addition to writing for the Charlatan, Cassandra has also worked as an associate editor at Her Campus Carleton.
In her free time, she loves reading, watching movies, and drinking a big cup of coffee.
After graduation, she hopes to further her education in political science and pursue a career in political reporting.
You can reach Cassandra via email.