Jennifer Dobner

Jennifer Dobner is an accomplished communications professional and writer with more than 15 years of experience in short- and long-form storytelling, journalism, documentary film, internal and external government communications, strategic media planning and media relations. Self-starter. Collaborative by nature. Motivated strategic and creative thinker. Excellent interpersonal skills. Adept project juggler. She welcomes open communication, encourages and embraces new ideas and appreciates constructive criticism. She believes opportunities for growth arise from asking hard questions, taking creative chances and learning from colleagues, data and experience. (above bio taken from Dobner's Linked In account)

As a reporter, Jennifer Dobner has covered government, public corruption and LGBT issues. She previously worked for The Associated Press, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Deseret News and the Idaho Falls Post-Register. 

More Details of Jennifer's Careeer Experiences Include the Following:

• Anchor Point - Writer/Producer

  Smokejumper, LLC · Contract    Jan 2020 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos
  • Writer and producer of the feature length documentary "ANCHOR POINT" (2021) The film tells the story of women in wildland firefighting who are working to change the culture of their male-dominated profession that leaves the vulnerable to discrimination, harassment and assault. Awards: Best Documentary: Cinequest Film Festival, Paris International Film Festival; Best Documentary Sydney Women’s International Film Festival | People’s Choice Award, Ft. Myers Beach International Film Festival.   Streaming: Amazon Prime, AppleTV, GooglePlay    https://www.anchorpointfilm.com

•     Writer & Fact Checker

  Lead Stories · ContractJun 2020 - Present · 3 yrs Greater Salt Lake City Area 
  • Contract journalist and fact checker for independent fact checking organization LeadStories. Working with social media platforms to fact check false claims on sites that include Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and more. Member of the International Fact-Checking Network: https://www.poynter.org/ifcn/

• PR and Marketing Communications Specialist II 

  ARUP Laboratories · Full-timeJul 2021 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
  • Marketing/Communications writer, including social media, press releases, blog articles, internal communications, video scripts and more

•      Communications and Engagement Manager

  Salt Lake City Corporation Dept. of Community & Neighborhoods · Part-timeMar 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 4 mos          Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
  • Works collaboratively with departments six divisions on a variety of internal and external communications needs, including monthly news/blog, talking points, slide deck content, correspondence, communications strategy, media relations. In this capacity, I also work  with state and county agencies focused on homelessness resources and services communications. 
• Deputy Director of Communications Salt Lake City Mayor's Office  · Full-time Mar 2019 - Feb 2020 · 1 yr
  • Duties include writing press releases, blog posts, opinion pieces, speeches, correspondence and social media posts for Mayor and policy advisors for accessibility, education, diversity, community engagement and refugees. Organize press events, prepares media releases, assists new media with information and interview requests and interface with various city departments.

•       Freelance fixer

  BBC · Contract Jan 2019 - Mar 2019 · Greater Salt Lake City Area
  • Conduct topic research, identify, contact and book interview subjects, location scouting and support services during shooting on BBC documentary and travel programs

• Producer/Writer/Story Consultant

  Quadrille Films Apr 2015 - Mar 2019 · 4 yrs Greater Salt Lake City Area
  • Producer/Writer and Story consultant on the documentary film "Church & State" about Utah's battle over same-sex marriage and the improbably lawsuit that overturned state law and went on to be cited in similar cases nationwide, including the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell that brought marriage equality to the nation.

    • Winner of a Special Jury Award at the 2018 American Documentary Film Festival and Best Documentary at the 2018 Nice (France) International Film Festival.
      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q215_EU1zDo&feature=youtu.be

•   Reporter

  The Salt Lake Tribune Nov 2012 - Apr 2018 · 5 yrs 6 mos Salt Lake City
  • Covering criminal justice, health care policy and reform, public corruption, government, religion and polygamy.

•  Newswoman

  The Associated Press Jan 2005 - Feb 2012 · 7 yrs 2 mos Salt Lake City
  • Lead reporter for the Salt Lake City bureau, covering all aspects of the Mormon church and culture, polygamy, gay rights, state and federal courts, politics, crime, corrections and more. Stories of note included the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping and courts cases, Crandall Canyon mine disaster, firing squad execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner and the Utah trial of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.

•  Reporter

  The San Diego Union-Tribune  May 2001 - Feb 2002 · 10 mos  San Diego, California
  • General assignment reporter Escondido bureau.

In 2010, Jennifer Dobner witnessed the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner by firing squad in Utah. Mr. Gardner was the third execution by a firing squad in the state of Utah, the first one having been in 1977, when Gary Gilmore volunteered to be the first person executed after the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976 with the Gregg decision. 

On April 13, 2023 I met with Jennifer Dobner in Salt Lake City, Utah to listen as she shared her story of her experience as a media witness at the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner, when she worked as a reporter with the Associated Press. 

In the video link above you will see Jennifer Dobner, among other media witnesses, provide her observations of the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner. In the link below you will find the piece that Ms. Dobner published with the Associated Press about her witnessing experience.

Utah firing squad: a meticulously planned and scripted 'homicide'