Tracy Simmons, Executive Director
Tracy Simmons leads the FāVS staff. She is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, digital entrepreneurship and social journalism. She has been leading the FāVS staff since the website began in 2012. In her 13 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti.
Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas and Connecticut. Currently is a Scholarly Associate Professor at Washington State University and serves as the executive director of FāVS News a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes nationally and is a reporter and columnist for the Spokesman-Review.
You can reach Simmons at tracysimmons@favs.news.
Cassy Benefield, Associate Editor
Cassy (pronounced like Cassie but spelled with a ‘y’) Benefield helps lead the FāVS staff. She is a wife and mother, a writer and photographer and a huge fan of non-fiction. She has traveled all her life, first as an Army brat. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer (2004-2006) to Romania where she mainly taught Conversational English. She received her bachelor’s in journalism from Cal Poly Technical University in San Luis Obispo, California. She finds much comfort in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and considers herself a religion nerd who is prone to buy more books, on nearly any topic, than she is ever able to read.
You can reach Benefield at cassybenefield@favs.news.
Ethan Bakogiannis, Web and SEO Specialist
Ethan Bakogiannis serves as News Web/SEO Specialist for FāVS News with a goal of increasing engagement, driving traffic and increasing FāVS News’ brand presence. Ethan is a recent graduate from NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he graduated with degrees in Sport Management and Business Administration with a Marketing Concentration and primarily served as Editor-in-Chief of Technician, the school’s student-run newspaper. From reporting on sports, breaking university-wide news, and doing final proofs on print editions, he found a passion for journalism in his four years at Technician.
Ethan is now working in the marketing industry and is combining his technical skills in SEO and branding with his news knowledge and love for journalism at FāVS News. He now lives in Boston and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing Communications from Emerson College. In his free time, Ethan loves watching sports and cheering on the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics.
Mikayla Finnerty, Social Media Manager
Mikayla Finnerty is the editor of The Everett Post, an online publication based out of Everett. She is the social media director for FāVS News and North Sound Media. Mikayla shares all the FāVS staff and writer’s content on social media. She has written for several publications including award winning college newspaper The Daily Evergreen, The Clipper, and FāVS News. She also works as a freelance writer and photographer. She graduated from Washington State University in 2023 and spends her time reading, cooking and traveling.
Megan Guido, Community Sponsorship Representative
Megan Guido has lived in Pullman for most of her life. She holds two degrees, a bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Idaho and a master’s in Public Administration from the Institute of Public Service at Seattle University. Her career has been in marketing-communications while her work and interests are grounded in public service. She served on Pullman City Council from 2022-2025 and she is the founding director of Whitman Recovery Community Center in Pullman. Additionally, she is a certified Color Code personality and communications coach.
She can be reached at meganguido@favs.news
Morgen White, TikTok and YouTube Producer
Morgen White graduated summa cum laude from Washington State University with a degree in broadcast journalism and media production. She extended her stay in Pullman to continue her role as an announcer and producer at NWPB. She later moved back to her roots in Seattle to be near family and has since transitioned into working as an on-air announcer for KUOW. Morgen’s passion for journalism and storytelling continues to fuel her reporting and the production of social media content for FāVS News.
Mari Haworth, Treasurer
Mari has been the long-time treasurer for FāVS News. A Spokane native, she is a retired researcher and an active member of the Spokane Buddhist Temple.
Join the FāVS staff team! We’re seeking volunteers for roles in marketing, writing and advertising executive.
For volunteer and internship opportunities in copy editing, graphic design, social media, event planning, photojournalism and public relations, contact Tracy Simmons at tracysimmons@favs.news.