Nicole Noren is a director, producer and journalist who produced more than 50 investigative reports and short documentaries for ESPN, and now heads her own production company. Noren is a recipient of six Emmys, two Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Peabody and has reported extensively on gender-based violence, education, health and social issues.
The short film "Betsy & Irv" won a Sports Emmy in 2023, and Noren's debut feature-length investigative documentary "LISTEN" has been viewed by nearly six million people on YouTube. Her most recent film, "The Walkout" was released on YouTube in July 2024.
"LISTEN" received recognition in three national journalism competitions - the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Awards, National Awards for Education Reporting and Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Awards: “LISTEN is a shining example of how investigative journalism can hold police systems accountable without exploiting victims of violence.” - IRE Award Judge, April 2024
“Gripping, tragic and enraging. Masterful work that reveals the sheer amount of missteps and failures by multiple authorities and institutions and the push to cover it up." - EWA Judges, May 2024
Noren was a recipient of a 2016-17 Rosalynn Carter Fellowship in Mental Health Journalism. Her account of human trafficking at the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award in video investigative reporting - a first for a sports entry.
An avid traveler, photographer and outdoor enthusiast, Noren is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), based in Southern California. The University of Hawaii graduate often shoots photos for her stories. She is currently directing/producing two independent feature-length documentary films, and is a board member for two non-profit organizations - Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara and Project Experience for Youth - which provide learning opportunities to disadvantaged students in Santa Barbara and Ventura County (CA).
Notable Awards/Honors:
- --Six National Emmy Awards (2020 and 2019 Nominee in Outstanding Sports Journalism)
- --Peabody Award (2018)
- --Two National Edward R. Murrow Awards
- --First Prize 2018 Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Award for Sports Investigations
- --2015 Media Award from Mental Health America
- --2015 NABJ Salute to Excellence Award
- Network TV - Investigative
- --2015 Kiplinger Fellowship
- --Four National Awards for Education Reporting (EWA)
- 2014 - 1st Prize, Investigative Reporting (Broadcast)
- 2011 - 2nd Prize, Feature (Broadcast)
- 2010 - 2nd Prize, Investigative Reporting (Broadcast)
- 2009 - 2nd Prize, Documentary and Feature (Broadcast)
- --Five Gracie Awards
- Outstanding Sports Program in 2013, 2011, 2007, 2006
- --GLAAD Awards
- Finalist four times in Feature/newsmagazine
Photo credit: Jeff Halperin