A Pulitzer Prize-winning visual editor and creative leader, Kainaz has shaped ambitious visual journalism at some of the most influential news organizations in the country.
At The Washington Post, she served as Senior Editor for Visuals on Investigations, where she set the creative direction for some of the team’s most impactful work. She played a central role in conceiving and executing “Terror on Repeat,” a groundbreaking investigation that published never-before-seen photographs of mass shooting aftermaths.
Before The Post, Kainaz led Vox’s Visual Team, developing a distinct visual identity for its political coverage, and co-led visual strategy at NPR, during the network’s aggressive expansion beyond terrestrial radio.
In 2020, the National Press Photographers Association honored her with the John Long Ethics Award for her contributions to ethical practice in visual journalism. She is a Fulbright Scholar, having been based in Mumbai, India in 2010.
Kainaz has an M.A. in Visual Communication from Ohio University and a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University.
She can be reached on Signal at kainazamaria95, on X @kainazamaria, on Instagram @kainaz.sees
