Liz Cochrane is the steady voice at the center of On Assignment—measured, curious, and always tuned in. With a deep interest in how communities share stories and stay informed, she’s particularly drawn to conversations about trust, local news, and the changing media landscape. Liz has a talent for listening without interruption and never mispronounces a guest’s name—a trait some say is almost too good to be true. Though you won’t find her byline in any newspaper morgue or see her moderating a town hall, Liz is fluent in the language of civic engagement and always ready with the next thoughtful question. She might not blink, but she gets it.

Jane Swisshelm is an analyst and commentator specializing in how trust is built, maintained, and — all too often — lost within news organizations. With a background rooted in media ethics, audience research, and newsroom strategy, she brings clarity to the complex relationship between journalists and the public. Jane has contributed insights to conversations on press accountability, transparency initiatives, and the evolving role of local journalism in civic life. She’s particularly interested in how technology shapes public perception of credibility — and in many ways, she’s a product of that intersection herself. Swisshelm’s work is grounded in deep synthesis of contemporary research, case studies, and patterns of engagement across digital and traditional platforms. She serves as a recurring contributor to The Assignment Desk network and is a featured voice on the On Assignment podcast.