In November 2018, when Makena Huey was a sophomore at Pepperdine University, the Borderline shooting and Woolsey fire devastated Malibu and the surrounding community. A copy editor for the school’s magazine at the time, she felt called to help in any way she could and, while sheltering in place, provided breaking news coverage of the two tragedies alongside national outlets. In the midst of tragedy, she learned the power of storytelling. In the midst of tragedy, she discovered her purpose. 

Huey went on to serve as editor-in-chief of Pepperdine’s Currents magazine, managing editor of Pepperdine’s Graphic newspaper and executive editor of Pepperdine Graphic Media—all of which were Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker winners.

Since graduating, Huey has worked for the Acorn Newspapers, relentlessly but compassionately covering every aspect of the Ventura County community. As the sole reporter for the Thousand Oaks Acorn, the edition with the largest circulation, she writes about everything from city council and school board to breaking news and investigative stories. She has uncovered allegations of mishandled sexual assault cases at local school districts and of unlawful federal cuts to the world’s largest urban national park. She has shed light on the impact that murder has on victims’ families and that the death of an unhoused man has amidst a lack of nearby shelters.

During a time of division, dehumanization and distrust of the media, Huey is dedicated to telling the stories that are too often left untold and amplifying the voices that are too often left unheard.