About Me - Andrew V. Pestano

^{(First impressions matter so let’s pretend I just gave you an outstanding handshake.)}

I’m Andrew Valentine Pestano, a journalist with more than a decade of experience working in digital-first newsrooms, including NBC News and United Press International.

I was born in Venezuela and became a U.S. citizen at age 21. I’ve covered breaking news, national policy, weather disasters, war, public health emergencies and long-form explainers. I’ve amassed hundreds of bylines across digital platforms as a result.

Guyana’s Orinduik Falls — I love a good water feature. Also, that adventure hat is one of my life’s best purchases.

Beyond newsrooms, I worked as the Senior Editor of Hedgehog Social, a news-focused social media app. I curated credible news for a media-skeptical audience, with whom I would converse and often disagree, which helped me confront disinformation and media illiteracy directly.

For a time, I was Playboy’s Sex & Relationships Writer, applying the same journalistic standards of truth-seeking, accountability and compassion to profoundly human topics that are often stigmatized and dismissed as taboo.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, playing piano, laughing, reading/movies/video games, taking photos and being a human before the AI revolution.

Guyana’s Kaiteur Falls — I told y’all I’m all in on water. I like this picture more than a headshot.

For more on my career, visit my Portfolio.