Hi, I’m Jesse Achtenberg, a senior video writer, director and editor with over 20 years of experience creating impactful content for organizations, brands and government agencies. I’m an expert in video writing, production, editing, and digital strategy, with a track record of driving audience engagement and earning industry awards such as Emmy, Telly, and Webby Impact. I’m a creative professional who excels at leading teams and applying innovative storytelling techniques to deliver meaningful multimedia projects. I’m a collaborative leader who thrives on developing strong concepts, aligning cross-functional teams, and implementing strategies that grow audiences and maximize impact. I’m ready to bring my expertise to the next organization and help elevate multimedia initiatives.

Jesse Achtenberg

Hi, I’m Jesse Achtenberg, a senior video writer, director and editor with over 20 years of experience creating impactful content for organizations, brands and government agencies. I’m an expert in video writing, production, editing, and digital strategy, with a track record of driving audience engagement and earning industry awards such as Emmy, Telly, and Webby Impact. I’m a creative professional who excels at leading teams and applying innovative storytelling techniques to deliver meaningful multimedia projects. I’m a collaborative leader who thrives on developing strong concepts, aligning cross-functional teams, and implementing strategies that grow audiences and maximize impact. I’m ready to bring my expertise to the next organization and help elevate multimedia initiatives.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Jesse Achtenberg, a senior video writer, director and editor with over 20 years of experience creating impactful content for organizations, brands and government agencies. I’m an expert in video writing, production, editing, and digital strategy, with a track record of driving audience engagement and earning industry awards such as Emmy, Telly, and Webby Impact. I’m a creative professional who excels at leading teams and applying innovative storytelling techniques to deliver meaningful multimedia projects.

I’m a collaborative leader who thrives on developing strong concepts, aligning cross-functional teams, and implementing strategies that grow audiences and maximize impact. I’m ready to bring my expertise to the next organization and help elevate multimedia initiatives.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Japanese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Proprietor / Video Producer / Editor at Tornado Productions
March 1, 2022 - Present
Script, develop, staff and produce video products, in collaboration with NGO, educational and private clients (Keep America Beautiful, Colorado College, American Federation of Teachers, Project HOPE). Led end-to-end production and client coordination to deliver high-impact multimedia content.
Senior Video Producer / YouTube Manager at The Nature Conservancy
January 2, 2019 - July 23, 2025
Co-created the award-winning Nature Lab YouTube explainer series about conservation science for students; served as writer, director, editor and producer across 12 episodes with 2M+ views. Produced a 20-minute documentary, Share the Wind, in Kenya and created 60+ videos across multiple channels, including tie-ins with PBS. Developed and executed a comprehensive social strategy resulting in 400% subscriber growth over 3 years and DAM system enhancements.
Senior Video Producer / Editor at NOAA’s Ocean Today
March 1, 2016 - October 1, 2018
Authored, produced, filmed, and edited two series (Coral Comeback and Future of Ocean Farming) focused on ocean science. Managed cross-agency collaboration, led a team of designers, narrators, and camera operators, and helped build NOAA’s first dedicated video studio. Conducted media training and supported five production teams with archival initiatives.
Senior Multimedia Specialist at Peace Corps
January 1, 2014 - March 1, 2016
Created a zero-budget PSA that achieved 2.5 million YouTube views in the first month and significantly boosted viewership across YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify. Led concept development for PSAs, ad campaigns, and social media; directed post-production and managed budgets and timelines; traveled internationally as lead videographer and field producer; pioneered adoption of 360/VR, 4K, and closed-captioning.
Senior Producer / Editor at New Media Mill LLC
April 1, 2007 - January 1, 2014
Developed and pitched short documentaries, PSAs, online promotions, live events, and interactive multimedia for NGO clients. Coordinated development, field production, graphics design and post-production tasks across in-house and remote vendors; conducted high-profile interviews; increased post-production efficiency and profitability by $50,000.
Proprietor / Video Producer at Tornado Productions
February 28, 2022 - Present
Script, develop, staff and produce video products in collaboration with NGO, educational and private clients (Keep America Beautiful, Colorado College, American Federation of Teachers, Project HOPE).

Education

BA - Anthropology at The Colorado College
September 1, 1995 - May 1, 2019
BA at The Colorado College
September 1, 1995 - May 1, 2019
BA - Anthropology at The Colorado College
September 1, 1995 - May 1, 2019
BA at The Colorado College
September 1, 1995 - May 20, 2019

Qualifications

YouTube Partner Program Learning Collaborative – YouTube
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Drone Advanced Essentials - Consortiq
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
CatDV Intensive - Chesapeake Systems
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Advanced Adobe AfterEffects - Future Media Concepts
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Advanced Adobe Premiere - Women in Film and Video
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
YouTube Partner Program Learning Collaborative
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
Drone Advanced Essentials
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
CatDV Intensive
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
Advanced Adobe AfterEffects
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
Advanced Adobe Premiere
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
YouTube Partner Program Learning Collaborative – YouTube
January 11, 2030 - January 22, 2026
Drone Advanced Essentials - Consortiq
January 11, 2030 - January 22, 2026
CatDV Intensive - Chesapeake Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 22, 2026
Advanced Adobe AfterEffects - Future Media Concepts
January 11, 2030 - January 22, 2026
Advanced Adobe Premiere - Women in Film and Video
January 11, 2030 - January 22, 2026
YouTube Partner Program Learning Collaborative
January 11, 2030 - March 4, 2026
Drone Advanced Essentials
January 11, 2030 - March 4, 2026
CatDV Intensive
January 11, 2030 - March 4, 2026
Advanced Adobe After Effects
January 11, 2030 - March 4, 2026
Advanced Adobe Premiere
January 11, 2030 - March 4, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Professional Services
    uniE608 NatureLab - You're the Scientist!
    The conservation community relies heavily on volunteers to not only restore natural areas, but to help gauge the success of restoration efforts. Volunteers team up with experienced stewards and scientists to monitor the recovery of native habitats, or to record data on rare species of wildflowers, butterflies and other wildlife. But can students get involved? In fact, they can!
    uniE608 TNC - Our Thriving Planet, Our Beating Hearts
    Major rebrand video for The Nature Conservancy. Editor on Adobe Premiere Pro. videoeditor wildlife conservation