BARRETT NEWKIRK

Senior Communications Manager

Barrett Newkirk works with Alianza staff and partners to raise awareness around Alianza’s overall mission and specific campaigns to make the Coachella Valley a welcoming and prosperous place for everyone. He does this through interpersonal and strategic communications, including oversight of written and visual communications, digital outreach, and media relations.

Barrett grew up in Indiana, in an agricultural community very different from the one in the rural Coachella Valley. Before joining Alianza, he worked as a journalist for over a decade, including time at The Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs reporting mostly on politics and healthcare across the Coachella Valley. Barrett has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Indiana University and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. His position with Alianza allows him to apply his experience in communications and policy to address issues of equity and equality through community-led solutions. A huge fan of the arts and live theater, his volunteer work includes supporting local theater programs and serving on the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission.