Ani Freedman
Born 2000 · Age 25
American journalist and photojournalist focused on health, environment, and community reporting; Hobart & William Smith Colleges alum and Columbia Journalism School MS; fellow on Fortune's Well team; award-winning reporter on PFAS contamination.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Ani Freedman and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Albany, New York
Ani Freedman was born in Albany, NY (exact date not provided).
Photographed Kavanaugh nomination protest in Geneva, NY
Photographed Hobart and William Smith students protesting the nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in September 2018.
Photojournalism: Morocco - Chefchaouen
Photographed local life in Chefchaouen, Morocco during travel in November 2019 (portfolio image).
Study abroad in Spain / photographed La Alhambra
Studied abroad in Spain; documented travel and photographed sites including La Alhambra (Nov 2019).
Member of campus clubs and internships at HWS
Active on campus: Beautiful Minds club member, Writing Colleague intern, tutor at the Boys & Girls Club (dates during undergrad).
Photo interview: undocumented immigrant story
Produced a feature/profile photo and interview of 'Antonio,' an undocumented Mexican immigrant in upstate New York (portfolio caption Feb 2022 interview date).
Documented International Women's Day march in Geneva, NY
Photographed and documented local residents and students marching downtown Geneva for International Women's Day on March 8, 2021.
Attended Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference
Attended AWP conference with Seneca Review (noted as 'last spring' in Aug 2022 HWS news; likely spring 2022).
Editor-in-Chief of The Herald (HWS)
Served as editor-in-chief of Hobart and William Smith Colleges' student paper in her senior year, gaining leadership experience in student journalism.
Completed Honors Project combining literary journalism & photojournalism
Honors project: interviewed and photographed migrant and rural workers in the Finger Lakes, combining literary journalism and photojournalism.
Graduated summa cum laude from Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Completed Bachelor's degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Spanish & Hispanic Studies; inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and the Laurel Society.
Accepted to Columbia Journalism School
HWS News announced Ani Freedman would attend Columbia University's School of Journalism beginning fall 2022.
Began MS at Columbia Journalism School
Started graduate studies at Columbia, focusing on health and environmental reporting and community-centered journalism.
Photographed TCS NYC Marathon (portfolio)
Captured imagery from the 2022 NYC Marathon including shots of Olympian Alexi Pappas (Nov 6, 2022 image in portfolio).
Investigative reporting on PFAS pollution in New Hampshire
Conducted an investigation into PFAS contamination in New Hampshire while freelancing at InDepthNH.org; the series won recognition.
Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) Community Champion Award (INNY)
Received the INNY (Institute for Nonprofit News Community Champion Award) for investigation into PFAS pollution in New Hampshire.
Began freelancing for InDepthNH.org
After graduating Columbia, began freelancing for the New Hampshire nonprofit newsroom InDepthNH.org, covering local politics, environmental injustice, education, and health.
New Hampshire Press Association Rookie of the Year Award
Won the NH Press Association Rookie of the Year Award for reporting (recognition associated with InDepthNH work on PFAS).
Completed Master's Thesis on normalization of disordered eating
Master's thesis revealed harmful normalization of disordered eating and exercise behaviors perpetuated by diet culture, weight-loss companies, and some medical professionals.
Earned Master of Science, Columbia Journalism School
Awarded MS in May 2023 after focusing on health, environmental reporting, and coverage of Latinx communities in Queens and air pollution in the South Bronx.
Joined Fortune Magazine as a Well team fellow (health & wellness)
Became a health and wellness fellow on Fortune's Well team, covering fitness, family, relationships, mental health, and consumer health topics (sequenced after InDepthNH work).
Published health/environment reporting at Fortune
Published multiple articles on health topics for Fortune, extending her focus on science-based consumer health reporting and wellness journalism.
Public profile & portfolio presence online
Maintains personal website and portfolio (anifreedman.com) and social profiles to showcase journalism and photography work and provide contact information.
Fortune article: small business tested toothpaste brands for toxic metals
Published a Fortune piece investigating common toothpaste brands for toxic metals (April 2025).
Fortune article: workout mistake could hurt sleep
Published a consumer health article for Fortune about workout timing and sleep quality (April 2025).
Fortune article: RFK Jr. blames environmental toxins for autism spike (coverage)
Published reporting/analysis covering claims about environmental toxins and autism, for Fortune (April 2025).
Fortune articles: multiple health & lifestyle stories
Throughout April 2025, authored multiple Fortune Well stories on nutrition, aging, probiotics and supplements, signaling an established beat at Fortune.
Fortune article: Vitamin D supplements may lower colorectal cancer risk
Published an article on new research suggesting vitamin D supplements may lower colorectal cancer risk, appearing on Fortune's Well pages (April 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Ani Freedman and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Connor Bedard
Born 2005 · Age 20
Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Chicago Blackhawks. Considered one of the greatest prospects of his generation; 1st overall pick in 2023 NHL Entry Draft and 2024 Calder Trophy winner.
Linda Caicedo
Born 2005 · Age 20
Colombian professional footballer (forward) for Real Madrid and the Colombia national team; cancer survivor; multiple individual awards and international standout.
Charli D'Amelio
Born 2004 · Age 21
American social media personality and dancer who rose to fame on TikTok beginning in 2019; co-founder of D'Amelio Brands and 444 Capital; multi-platform entertainer and bestselling author.
Min-ji Kim
Born 2004 · Age 21
South Korean singer known mononymously as Minji; leader and member of K-pop girl group NewJeans (debut 2022) under ADOR/Hybe. Songwriter, brand ambassador (Chanel), and frequent chart- and award-winner.
Sneha Revanur
Born 2004 · Age 21
American youth activist, founder and president of Encode (originally Encode Justice), advocating for global regulation of artificial intelligence.
Archie Manning
Born 2004 · Age 21
American football quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, member of the Manning family; highly touted high school recruit who committed to Texas and became its starting QB in 2024.