Her research and reporting have been central to the success of award-winning podcasts, documentary films, TV series, digital archives, and international investigations. Her work has been featured in NBC News, Balkanism Magazine, The World (PRX), THIS Magazine, The Tyee, Canada’s National Observer, The Global Reporting Centre, OCCRP, GIJN, and The Toronto Star.

In addition to journalism, Katarina teaches media writing at the university level and leads youth DJ workshops that blend community, creativity, and storytelling.

Katarina Sabados is an investigative journalist and freelance creative producer with a track record of driving powerful storytelling across media platforms.

When she’s not reporting or editing copy, Katarina makes art, mixes music, dances tango, and thinks a lot about the Balkans.

See her full CV here.

Research

Bribe, Inc. 1441 Productions Inc and STAN, 2024 (Documentary film)

“Unreal Estate,” The Troika Laundromat, OCCRP, 2020 *2020 Sigma Award for best data-driven reporting (large newsrooms)

  • Bribe, Inc. 1441 Productions Inc and STAN, 2024 (Documentary film)

  • “Unreal Estate,” The Troika Laundromat, OCCRP, 2020 *2020 Sigma Award for best data-driven reporting (large newsrooms)

  • Unfinished Lives, Unfinished Justice, OCCRP, 2019

  • “Lust for Gold,” OCCRP, 2018

Reporting

  • “Pennsylvania ‘cracks’ down on Shell plant,” NBC News, 2023

  • “Black swan’ heat wave brings record-breaking power demand,” Canada’s National Observer, 2021

  • “Canadian prof’s critical mining report tanked by Dominican Republic,” Canada’s National Observer, 2021

  • “Cases of fraud in honey imports could spike, expert warns,” The Thunderbird, 2021

  • “How to Follow the Money: Tips for Cross-Border Investigations,” GIJN, 2018

Awards

  • 2025 Digital Publishing Award for Best Podcast in Current Affairs

  • 2024 Anthem Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • 2020 Sigma Award for best data-driven reporting (large newsrooms)

  • 2019 TRACE Investigative Reporting Award - Honourable Mention

  • 2021 Jack Wester Student Journalism Award