Nina Ignaczak is a 2026 RJI Professional Innovation Fellow. She and Ashley Woods Branch are building an AI-powered platform and tool that will help local newsrooms systematically connect journalism to civic participation by analyzing their articles and generating sidebars showing readers how to take action. The sidebars feature upcoming meetings, comment deadlines, organizations, and officials to contact in their community. Using national databases covering all 50 states and federal agencies, this platform will provide the ability for newsrooms to integrate civic participation boxes into any coverage. 

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak is an award-winning Metro Detroit-based editor, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. She is the founder, publisher, and editor of Planet Detroit, a digital media startup focused on producing quality climate, health, and environment journalism that holds power accountable, and spotlights solutions.