Money magazine hires Damato as AME, two reporters

Money magazine editor in chief Diane Harris sent out the following announcement:

Good morning, everyone.

I’m so happy to welcome three new staffers to the MONEY fold today: assistant managing editor Karen Damato, social media writer Veronica Quezada and editorial assistant/reporter Lauren Wood.

Karen Damato comes to us via a long and storied career at the Wall Street Journal, where she held a variety of high-level positions, including news editor of the Sunday WSJ; deputy editor, personal finance; and, most recently, editor of the Wealth section. She knows our subject matter in and out, and is highly-respected in our industry — Allan Roth, among others, wrote to me to congratulate us on our “brilliant” get; in fact, she has consistently been named one of the most influential people in personal finance (along with our own Penny Wang). Karen will be heading up our retirement coverage, working closely with Elizabeth, Penny and others, but will weigh in on other aspects of core coverage too. I’m thrilled she’s here—the long wait was well worth while (this is a hire six months in the making).

Also joining us today as Matt Bemer’s latest partner in crime is Veronica Quezada. Veronica is a newly minted grad of USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication, where she specialized in video and digital journalism. As a producer on Annenberg’s so-called JEDI Desk (ask her about it), she produced short Twitter videos on trending topics, as well as other digital videos for social, and was part of a program started by TIME’s Callie Schweitzer and FORTUNE’s Will Lederman — both of whom recommended her highly. We’re so glad she’s here, perhaps none more so than Matt and Alicia, who finally moves on to being a full-time reporter on the website.

Finally, I’m pleased to welcome my new assistant and Money reporter, Lauren Wood, who has just graduated with a dual degree in English and Screen Arts and Cultures from the University of Michigan. That makes her the fourth Money alum from Michigan (I think it’s 4; can you name the others?). Lauren interned last year at ABC News Nightline and this year won the prestigious Hopwood Writing Award at Michigan for her reporting about chess in and around metro Detroit. Lauren will split her time between assignments for the magazine and the website, but the most challenging part of her job will no doubt be managing my increasingly unwieldy schedule. Lauren, welcome, and consider yourself warned.

Please join me in welcoming all three and take time to stop by, introduce yourselves and say hi. Karen will be sitting next to Elizabeth and across from Penny, Veronica will be next to Matt in Zak’s old seat, and Lauren, naturally, will sit at the desk outside my door (Alexandra, now a full-time producer, moves across the aisle to Marissa’s old seat).

Karen, Veronica and Lauren: Welcome, we’re so happy you’re here!

Best,
Diane