Elleiana Green '22: Chasing Stories, Achieving Dreams and Influencing the World

Story by Izzy Campie '25

When Elleiana Green ’22 walked through the halls of Marian High School, who knew that just a few years later, she would be reporting from the U.S. Capitol, interviewing some of the nation’s most powerful leaders and helping to write a book about one of the most unprecedented elections in history.

For Green, journalism was a calling. Inspired by her neighbor and teacher, Mrs. Marsha Kalkowski, and her father, a photographer, she developed a passion for storytelling early on.

“Mrs. K. always told me about journalism, and I was fascinated by it,” she said. “When she told me about Marian’s journalism program, I was 100% like, ‘I’m going toMarian.’”

That decision proved to be life-changing. Senior year, she became the managing editor of The Network, Marian’s student newspaper. “It was the best experience ever. It was a lot of work, but it was so rewarding. It made me love storytelling and helped me engage with the Omaha community in a way I had never done before,”Green said.

Green carried that passion into her studies at Northwestern University, where she majors in journalism and political science while also earning a marketing certificate. Despite her love for journalism, she was unsure whether she wanted to pursue it as a career. However, that uncertainty didn’t stop her from taking a risk and applying to Medill on the Hill, Northwestern’s prestigious political journalism program in Washington, D.C.

“I didn’t think I would ever be someone who would do that, but I took a shot, and I got in. So, I moved to D.C., and suddenly, I was on Capitol Hill, in the Supreme Court, at the White House, talking to legislative leaders and diplomats,” Green said.

At just 19 years old, Green was interviewing some of the most influential figures in the country,Including Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell and Bernie Sanders.

“I couldn’t fathom why these people would want anything to do with a 19-year-old girl from Nebraska. But they let me tell their story,” Green said.

After returning to campus, Green set her sights on her next challenge: landing an internship. She applied to over 100 places due to the competitive nature of the industry, andher perseverance paid off when she was offered a role at NBC in New York City.

Last summer, she worked out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza as a digital politics intern, covering the 2024 presidential election. “I fact-checked, wrote stories and worked on live blog coverage. It was insane. The experience was so busy, but I got so much mentorship. I learned that people love to teach those who are open to learning. That was huge for me,” Green said.

Her work at NBC included anything from reporting on California homelessness to writing about which TikTok influencers were at the Democratic National Convention. The experience was eye-opening for Green, as her dream of being a journalist was more of a reality than ever.

After her summer in New York, Green spent a semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy. With her mother being an immigrant from Italy, the experience held deep personal significance. “I  used the opportunity to see my family as often as I could, and by the end, I was fluent in Italian,” Green said.

While the transition was challenging, being away from home and immersed in a different culture broadened her perspective. “I missed the U.S. and my friends, but I can’t advocate enough for studying abroad. I visited seven countries and, well, I’m still broke from it—but it wasamazing,” Green said.

With graduation approaching, Green is preparing for her next big step: law school. “I love studying government, and I love history. Journalism has given me a unique way to engage with these subjects, but I want to take it further.” 

This summer, she returned to Washington, D.C., as an intern for Bloomberg Law, covering the Supreme Court. 

Green also recently assisted in writing a book about the 2024 presidential election. Working alongside Jonathan Allen and Amy Parnes, the team conducted more than 300 interviews with top policymakers and politicians. 

“We wrote it in six months, where normally, books like this take years. The access we had was unreal,” Green said.

Green is proof that young women, no matter where they come from, can shape history. “Success isn’t about your resume. It is about having the courage to take risks and keep trying,” Green said.

Green’s advice for young women looking to make an impact is “be open to learning from people. Ask questions, show initiative, and don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. If you’re passionate about something, go after it.” And above all, she encourages others to stay curious: “Curiosity is the best tool you can have. Read the news, stay informed, and never stop asking why.”