Organizational Storytelling for Impact

Print Newsletter
Client: Princeton in Asia | Industry: Nonprofit / Education

Princeton in Asia (PiA) is a nonprofit that fosters cross-cultural understanding through immersive fellowships and internships across Asia. For over 125 years, PiA has connected young leaders with meaningful work experiences that build lasting relationships and global perspectives.

The challenge

Pacific Bridges, PiA’s annual alumni newsletter, had a loyal readership and strong tone of voice—but the editorial process lacked structure, central ownership, and strategic direction. PiA needed someone to lead the content planning and writing in a way that honored its legacy, reflected current programming, and supported advancement goals like fundraising and alumni engagement.

My approach

I led the editorial strategy, writing, and project management for the 2024–2025 edition. Working closely with the Director of Advancement and key staff, I collaborated with the PiA program team to expand on a unifying editorial theme—the PiA 180—a concept they developed to spotlight the personal and professional transformations fellows experience through their placements. We used this theme to center alumni voices, reflect PiA’s mission, and reinforce the life-changing impact of the fellowship experience.

To bring the issue to life, I:

  • Hired and managed freelance writers for several longform, journalism-style pieces

  • Created an editorial calendar and helped freelancers clarify their assignments, story angles, and alignment with PiA’s tone and goals

  • Wrote an original feature myself and edited all written submissions for clarity, consistency, and flow

  • Coordinated alumni updates across generations, re-engaging former fellows and putting PiA back on their radar in a personal, thoughtful way

  • Collaborated with a designer on layout planning and visual storytelling

  • Highlighted the relaunch of PiA’s China fellowship after a multi-year hiatus, handling the topic with geopolitical awareness and cultural sensitivity

  • Aligned editorial themes with development goals, ensuring content strengthened community bonds and inspired donor support

The result

A cohesive, mission-aligned newsletter that bridges past and present PiA experiences through emotionally resonant storytelling. By centering the issue around The PiA 180, we created a narrative arc that celebrates alumni impact, reflects organizational resilience, and deepens connection among readers. The 2024–2025 issue serves as both a compelling editorial piece and a relationship-building tool for the 126-year-old institution. Following its release, the publication led directly to alumni donations, with several supporters citing the newsletter as the reason they were inspired to give.