UTSA alumna Meena Thiruvengadam has worked with more than 75 publishers. She has traveled to all seven continents, 68 countries and 47 states. But, perhaps most importantly, she found a way to combine her passions for storytelling and globetrotting into a career as a travel journalist and entrepreneur.
Thiruvengadam earned her B.A. in Communication from the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts in 2004. As a Roadrunner, she gained a strong academic foundation for her career through coursework in writing, journalism and media ethics. Thiruvengadam applied this knowledge as a writer for The Paisano, an independent student newspaper, covering UTSA. Her work there provided hands-on experience in reporting, storytelling and media production — skills that later helped her navigate the complexities of the evolving journalism industry.
In addition to the practical knowledge she acquired, Thiruvengadam fostered meaningful connections at UTSA, including friendships with fellow students. These experiences equipped her with the confidence and the network she needed to succeed as a journalist.
“UTSA was such a pivotal time for me. I made some of the best friends of my life, and I’m still close with them to this day. During my time there, I explored different interests and really found my direction,” Thiruvengadam says. “Working for the school newspaper, The Paisano, was when I truly discovered my passion for journalism. It helped me come out of my shell and shaped the path I would take in my career.”
After graduating from UTSA, Thiruvengadam worked in several newsrooms. She began her career at the San Antonio Express-News, and she worked for Dow Jones, where she contributed to The Wall Street Journal, covering topics such as the 2008 global economic crisis and bailouts of major investment banks.
More recently, she has held roles at Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider and Bloomberg. At Bloomberg, she led key initiatives, including creating the world’s first sponsored Moment feature on X (formerly known as Twitter), and worked with LINE Corporation to take the Bloomberg brand to the platform in 35 countries.
With a desire to gain more control over her creative direction, Thiruvengadam founded Meena Media in 2018. Her business addresses the growing need for specialized consulting in the media industry. During this time, she freelanced for various travel publications, opportunities that encouraged her to shift her focus toward travel journalism.
This year, Thiruvengadam launched Travel with Meena to further pursue her passion for travel journalism. Her platform highlights underrepresented voices and lesser-known destinations, offering readers new perspectives on global travel through destination guides, travel tips and cultural insights. Most recently, the UTSA alumna contributed to the 11th edition of Lonely Planet Chicago, set to be released in print on January 21, 2025. She also continues contributing to Fortune, Travel + Leisure and Real Simple.
Thiruvengadam credits UTSA with paving the path for her professional success, noting the university’s supportive environment and its focus on breaking down barriers for students.
“One of the things I valued most about my time at UTSA was how it actively tried to take barriers out of the way for students. The faculty and staff didn’t just talk about helping; they provided real, tangible resources,” Thiruvengadam says. “Whether it was academic support, financial assistance or simply creating an environment where students felt part of a community, UTSA ensured we had what we needed to succeed. That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career.”
