Expanding Our Board and Making Connections

TSN welcomes Tyler Shultz to its Board of Directors

We are delighted to announce Theranos whistleblower Tyler Shultz is joining our Board of Directors. As a longtime trusted advisor, he is now stepping up as a director to further support our mission of holding power accountable and protecting those who speak out against wrongdoing.

“I joined the board of The Signals Network because I’ve seen firsthand the immense challenges whistleblowers face and the critical role support plays in their journey. This organization provides the protections and resources I wish I had, empowering individuals to speak out without being left to navigate the fallout alone”, said Tyler Shultz.

“We have had the honor of working with Tyler for many years at The Signals Network. Tyler, as a whistleblower, but also as a scientist, startup founder, and professional speaker advocating for ethical innovation, has so many strengths to help us empower whistleblowers. His dedication and courage are inspirations to us all”, said TSN Executive Director Delphine Halgand-Mishra.

Learn more about Tyler joining our board here.

Our Week in Miami: Building Connections for Whistleblower Protection

Last week, TSN’s Whistleblower Protection Program team had the privilege of attending the Knight Media Forum (KMF25) in Miami, and connecting with media leaders, funders, and innovators committed to strengthening information ecosystems and building community trust.

The forum provided valuable insights and opportunities to explore the intersection of journalism, source protection, and community impact—all crucial elements in our work to support those who speak truth to power.

Key Takeaways for Our Community:

• Trust Builds Impact: Knight Foundation President Maribel Pérez Wadsworth’s emphasis on trust as the foundation of strong communities directly aligns with our work ensuring whistleblowers’ disclosures reach trusted channels for maximum impact.
• Balanced Reporting Matters: Dean Baquet of The New York Times reminded us that effective journalism reflects both community challenges and joy—a valuable perspective for whistleblower stories that drive positive change.
• Individual Stories Drive Policy: Firsthand accounts showed how local journalism can transform individual advocacy into systemic change, mirroring our whistleblower impact model.
• Platform Evolution Creates Opportunities: Bluesky’s approach to not de-prioritizing external links presents promising new channels for whistleblower disclosures to reach wider audiences.

As we return to our work, we’re energized by these connections and insights. The forum reinforced the importance of building trusted relationships with media partners who can responsibly amplify whistleblower disclosures while balancing protection and impact.

We’re looking forward to exploring potential collaborations with several organizations we met at KMF25 and hope to share more about these opportunities in the coming months.

Thank you to the Knight Foundation for fostering these important conversations and connections.

Are whistleblowers going to save us from the harms of tech?

As secrecy around AI and Big Tech deepens, one thing remains clear: real accountability depends on insiders speaking out. From the Facebook Files to Theranos, whistleblowers and journalists have played a critical role in exposing misconduct and protecting the public interest.

At SXSW 2025, our Executive Director, Delphine Halgand-Mishra, along with Tyler Shultz, Sophie Zhang and Billy Perrigo, will take the stage to explore this urgent question: “Are Whistleblowers Going to Save Us From the Harms of Tech?”

The panel discussion takes place on March 7 in Austin, Texas.

If you’ll be at SXSW, let us know—we’d love to connect. Learn more about our panel here.

Whistleblower News Roundup

— Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, accused of retaliating against whistleblower Tom Keating, who revealed nonprofit spending related to the mayor’s Super Bowl trips writes Allison Kite for Missouri Independent

— Freedom of the Press Foundation team outlines steps for sharing sensitive leaks with the press, emphasizing risk minimization and the importance of safety for whistleblowers.

— FBI employee and whistleblower loses job after years-long fight, writes Toni Milbourne for The Journal.

— “Crisis communications”: Emails show how NFL’s Saints and NBA’s Pelicans helped New Orleans church spin abuse scandal, writes Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana for The Guardian.