Johnny Magdaleno

Johnny Magdaleno has been helping shape Mechanism’s communications identity for much of the past decade. He started as the organization’s communications manager in 2017 and rejoined as a consultant in 2024. He currently oversees communications strategy, provides writing and editing support to staff, and manages written content for Mechanism’s public-facing platforms.

Johnny started his career in journalism and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist during his time as a reporter at The Indianapolis Star. He still occasionally works as a freelance journalist.

Johnny believes in Mechanism’s model because he thinks cooperation between actors in production ecosystems at the local level lays the foundation for economic equity, where people are treated fairly and businesses prioritize more than just profit. He thinks the benefits aren't only economic; solidarity between industry, neighbors, non-profit organizations, and public agencies can create a safety net that supports the total well-being of places.

In his free time Johnny likes to write music, make his wife and daughter laugh, study languages, and try over and over again to shoot threes at the basketball court near his house.