Team

Lisa Aciukewicz has worked in publishing since 1989 and has been with the Press since its inception in 2006. A 31-year resident of Harvard, she has a strong sense of community and has captured the lives of many residents through her photography. She is committed to independent journalism and keeping the Press a vital community resource as she leads the Press’ transition to nonprofit status. When not carrying a camera, Lisa is apt to be found carrying a backpack.

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John Osborn is the editor-in-chief of the Harvard Press, where he also regularly covers town government and finance, Devens, and regional issues that impact the town. A longtime Harvard resident, he has served as editor since 2013. Under his leadership, the paper has twice won first place for overall excellence in the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s Better Newspaper Competition. John began his career as a news assistant in the Washington Bureau of the New York Times and later as a reporter for United Press International (now Reuters) covering north Florida and the Florida Legislature. He spent three decades in technical book publishing, leading teams at Digital Equipment Corporation, IDG Books, and O’Reilly Media. But journalism was always his passion, and the opportunity to lead a small town newspaper drew him back in 2013. Before entering the world of technical book publishing, John taught for three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi and another seven in Maine. Those years awakened a love of teaching that shaped his commitment today to the next generation of journalists. In 2023, NENPA inducted him into its Hall of Fame largely for his work with students. When not seen with notebook and recorder in hand, John is likely to be found on a trail, on his bike, or in his kayak.

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After 10 years as a technical writer with AT&T and Digital Equipment Corporation, Valerie started as a reporter covering the Planning Board in 2006, contributing to the first issue. She has worked at the Press—with a two-year hiatus—ever since in various capacities including land-use reporting, community news editor, copy editor, and managing editor. A 27-year resident of Harvard, she served as chair of the Harvard Flea Market for several years, and volunteered for the Harvard Schools Trust, making hundreds of desserts for its yearly gala. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys reading, baking and cooking for family and friends, crewel embroidery, and rug hooking.

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Marty has been writing for the Press since 2009. She usually covers School Committee meetings and issues that come up there. Her coverage of the public meetings leading to the town’s vote on building the new elementary school received an award from the New England Newspaper and Press Association. She also regularly writes the Police Log and the Fire Log. Beyond those areas, she is particularly interested in stories related to the outdoors and conservation. Before joining the Press team, Marty worked in educational publishing at Houghton Mifflin and D.C. Heath, where she edited textbooks on history, geography, and world cultures. While finishing her Ph.D. in history, she also taught classes at Clark University and Fitchburg State. When not taking notes at meetings or fixing commas in copy editing, Marty is likely to be found pulling up bittersweet along the edges of her yard or reading English murder mysteries.

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Julie is a reporter for the Harvard press and covers a wide range of topics from features, news, sports, and writes a monthly column titled Town Tails, in which she shares information about local wild and domestic creatures native to New England. She’s been with the Press for three years, and has received awards from the New England Better Newspaper Association including first place in the Social Issues Features Stories category. A graduate of Emerson College’s school of journalism, with an advanced degree in human relations from Oklahoma University, Julie’s been writing for over 25 years in various capacities. From marketing materials, podcast production, and newspaper contributions, to freelance copywriting and editing, conveying stories is both a career and passion for her. Having three kids and two fur babies keeps Julie connected to the world and gives her unique perspectives to share in her writing. When not roaming about town interviewing and sleuthing, Julie can be found running the many miles of roads and trails in Harvard and beyond.

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Carlene has been with the Press since its beginning in 2006, first as a proofreader and then as a copy editor, occasional columnist, and feature writer covering town history, cultural events, and stories of town residents. Before her retirement, Carlene taught English for 30 years at Acton-Boxborough High School, where she was also advisor to the student newspaper. During her 51 years of living in Harvard, Carlene has been involved with several town organizations, most notably the Garden Club and the Historical Society. Her love for the town and its history inspired her 2023 book, “A Common History: The Story of Harvard’s Identity.”

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Janet McAbney-Murphy is the newest editor at the Harvard Press. She has been a resident of Harvard since 2022. Janet’s professional career spans a broad publishing spectrum, authoring and editing in the artificial intelligence, medical, technology, and financial sectors. Before moving to the United States, she worked for the New Zealand Department of Justice and in social work. Janet regularly volunteers at the Groton Hill Music Center. When she isn’t working at the Press or volunteering, she is either running or on her bike, locally or hiking in the White Mountains.

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Connie has worked at the Press in one capacity or another since it began in 2006. She has written features, news stories, some obituaries, and most of the April Fools spoof articles. Copnnie was trained as a journalist working at the old Harvard Post, where she started as a news writer covering the Finance Committee and eventually became an editor. Her most notable foray into town affairs was as chair of the Hildreth House Improvement Committee, working to improve accessibility in the former senior center. For her efforts on that committee, she was named Harvard’s Citizen of Note in 2016. In her spare time, Connie enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with her family.

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Nick Browse edits community news for the Harvard Press, and is responsible for the Current Events, Notice Board, People, and Senior Spotlight columns. A Harvard resident since 1988, Nick joined the Press in 2024. He and his family live in Still River.

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Jen is a photographer with The Harvard Press and also works on social media and layout. She has won three NENPA awards including one first- place recognition. Jen began her career as an art director at an agency where her main client was Pepsi. Over the years she worked in freelance and in-house creative positions for a wide range of clients, one of her favorite being the Whole Foods Market regional office before it was purchased by Amazon. There were excellent people, projects, and snacks. As an art director, Jen has been on set for photoshoots and regularly reviewed and selected images for projects. Eventually, she opted to be the one making those images and worked to deepen her technical and creative photography skills. Working with the Press over the years has contributed to becoming a better photographer. She has enjoyed documenting diverse events and deepening her connection to people and community. Jen is honored to support democracy, community, and access to free information by serving on the Harvard Public Library’s board of trustees. Jen can often be found reading, attending performances and sporting events, or chauffeuring children. She does some of her best design work in the dance studio parking lot.

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Jennifer reviews articles for accuracy, consistency, grammar, and AP style. She joined the Press in 2026. Before joining the Press, Jennifer served on the Finance Committee for seven years while raising her family and contributing to community projects. Her experience reviewing budgets, public records, and other detailed documents helped develop the careful eye she brings to her work. As a longtime Harvard resident, Jennifer cares deeply about the town and has a strong interest in local government and civic affairs. She recognizes the important role local journalism plays in helping neighbors stay informed and connected. When not proofreading, Jennifer is likely to be found listening to history audiobooks, spending time with her three kids, and starting more craft projects than she could ever hope to finish.

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John’s role at the Harvard Press is to find new advertisers, renew ads for existing clients, assist with invoicing and document sales and client notes in the Press’ customer relationship management system for record keeping. He joined the Press in April 2026 on a part-time basis and works closely with Sue Robbins and Lisa Aciukewicz. John earned a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Delaware and an MBA from UMass. His professional career was in the materials industry for industrial manufacturing, focusing on the wire and cable market segment. His roles ranged from R&D engineer, technical service, application development, product manager, account representative, and sales manager. He retired in 2025. John and his wife have lived in Harvard since 1993 and raised their two daughters here. His wife, Joan, taught at Hildreth Elementary School for many years. John enjoys working with local businesses, meeting new people, and helping Harvard’s hometown newspaper sustain itself.

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Sue Robbins designs ads for the Press each week. She also helps out with a variety of other Press tasks. She has lived in Harvard for nearly 50 years. Sue was a college math major and worked as a computer programmer at Ford Motor Company in Detroit in the late 1960s and early 1970s, where she was the only female programmer among hundreds. After moving to Harvard with her husband Worth and two sons, one just an infant, she did programming work for a variety of smaller companies. Sue and Worth were part of the team that started the Press in 2006, and she has been part of the Press ever since. Until recently she was a co-publisher. Her other involvements in Harvard have included serving as a Harvard Schools Trust director for 30 years, retiring from that role two years ago. Living In Switzerland in the early 1980s (compliments of Digital Equipment Corporation) was a great opportunity for weekend hiking. That interest continued after moving back to Harvard, and the family’s proud accomplishment in the 1980s was hiking all the peaks of the White Mountains. Now, some 40 years later, Sue’s a bit less ambitious, but climbing the steps up to the Press office at the General Store is still quite doable.

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Cia has worked as layout puzzle-solver at the Press since March 2019. She has worked as a graphic designer since 1995 after a decade working for most of the major textbook publishers.She has also worked on many history books and memoirs as well as college magazines and annual reports. Cia is the daughter of an AP newsman who bought a small town newspaper so she is a believer in the importance of local news. When not working on the Press, Cia is playing tennis, riding her new e-bike, knitting, and ... doing puzzles.

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Kristi Hobson Edmonston covers the Harvard Climate Initiative Committee and local interest stories related to the environment and other events. As a newcomer to Harvard, Kristi joined the newspaper, after attending its recent Community Reporter Training Program, as a way to get to know the community and support and contribute to independent journalism. Away from her computer, Kristi is most often found outdoors, nerding out on native plants, exploring local trails, or visiting PYO farms for seasonal produce.

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Heidi Gómez is a regular contributor to the Harvard Press. She mostly writes feature articles, including profiles and human interest stories. Heidi started writing for the Press in 2024, soon after she moved to Harvard. In 2025, she won first place in the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s Better Newspaper Competition commentary category for her piece, “Dissed-abled,” on the obstacles faced by wheelchair users in Harvard. Heidi is a school psychologist by training. Incorporating past professional experiences into her current writing is important to her, such as focusing on education or disability rights. With no journalism background, she has been enjoying learning on the job. When not writing, Heidi is likely eating or searching for the next restaurant, dive, or lobster shack to visit.

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Chris Jones covers the Park and Recreation Committee. A resident of Harvard for 10 years, he taught high school English at The Bromfield School for 30 years before retiring in 2023. When he’s not running down a story, Chris enjoys volunteering at the food pantry, Loaves & Fishes, and Harvard’s Council on Aging. He also serves on the board of the Harvard Historical Society. If he’s not responding to an email, he’s probably in the garden or watching his beloved Yankees.

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Hakan Sahin is a longtime cartoonist of the Harvard Press. He moved from Boston to Harvard in 2005 for its ample parking spaces. He has been drawing cartoons for the Press since 2006, covering important local issues, from town meetings to septic systems. He is a NENPA award- winner for his editorial cartoons in the Press.

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