![Maria Ressa Maria Ressa](https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/maria_ressa.png)
Maria Ressa
HRD, CEO & Co-Founder
Rappler
Maria Ressa is the CEO and co-founder of Rappler, the leading independent online news network in the Philippines. Prior to starting Rappler in 2012, Maria Ressa was the CNN’s regional bureau chief first in Manila, and then in Jakarta. Over her more-than-three-decade career as a journalist in Asia, she has received several awards for her steadfastness in upholding and promoting freedom of expression. Most recently, Maria Ressa was named as one of Time magazine’s 2018 Person of the Year.