Wayne Drash

About Wayne Drash

Tell stories that save lives, hold public officials accountable and lead to change. I seek to tell narratives about life and the unfolding drama of the world we live in. I specialized in covering complex major issues in recent years, from health insurance to Big Pharma to the opioid epidemic. Winner of multiple awards, including an Emmy, and consistently named one of the top Digital writers in the nation by the National Headliners. Professional writer highly skilled in thorough powerful interviewing and stellar storytelling. Breaking news experience has developed keen understanding of successful corporate/individual responses to news media. Helped lead CNN’s TV/Web integration efforts. Able to successfully handle multiple tasks simultaneously, while effectively leading staff and working with teams to produce award-winning work. I hold the unique title of the longest-serving writer in CNN Digital history, having begun at the world’s most read news Website shortly after it launched in 1995. All told, I have more than two decades of Web and Digital experience. On-air experience with multiple live television and radio interviews. • Attended 2017 Mayo Foundation Journalist Residency On Surgery, a fellowship bringing together some of the nation’s top health reporters at the Mayo Clinic. • Sent to CNN’s war-zone training program in 2011 to learn survival techniques. • Selected for 2011 University of Iowa Professional-In-Residency program to teach journalism. • 2005 - Named Young Leader with Atlantik-Brücke, a U.S-German transatlantic world affairs program. • Attended Turner leadership and team-building courses in early to better develop supervisory skills. • Began as an intern in 1995 and rose the ranks to become the longest-serving writer in CNN Digital history.

Experience

1. on these Courts

   Author

   May 2013 — Present

   First book published by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster, ON THESE COURTS documents Penny Hardaway’s inspirational story after his bright-lights NBA career came to an end, as he helped at-risk youth navigate such impossible circumstances as incarcerated fathers, crime-ridden streets and gang pressures. Participated in many television/print interviews during book tour.• 2014 - Christopher Award winner for a non-fiction book capturing the “best of humanity”• 2014 - Finalist for Books for a Better Life

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Language and Literature, General

  1990 — 1994

• University of Iowa

  Master of Arts in Professional Journalism, Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

  1994 — 1995