Meet the writers at Chicago Star Media

The team at Chicago Star Media has grown immensely since its beginnings during the pandemic, so we wanted to introduce our readers to our core writers. Let’s meet the team!

Candace Collins Jordan, Associate Publisher for Chicago Star

Candace Jordan is an award-winning media personality, journalist and Associate Publisher for Chicago Star Media. She is the founder of CandidCandace.com, Chicago’s first and longest-running lifestyle blog, and a regular contributor to WGN Radio’s "After Hours with Rick Kogan." Her diverse career also includes work as a model and actress (SAG/AFTRA), with nine Playboy covers and a role in Risky Business alongside Tom Cruise, among others. (See her IMDb here).

Her Candid Candace TV YouTube channel, with nearly 400,000 views, highlights celebrity interviews and Chicago’s vibrant events. She also co-hosts Candid Candace – The Podcast, which earned a Communicator Award of Distinction. 

As a writer, her work appears in notable publications including Crain’s Chicago Business, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Charlotte Observer, Star Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Yahoo Singapore, Barrington Courier-Review, Chicago Now and Felix Magazine.

Candace has earned recognition in publications as one of 25 Most Intriguing Chicagoans, 100 Powerful Chicagoans, 100 Women Making a Difference, 100 Women of Influence, Chicago Style Setter, Style Icon, Dynamic Woman, Leading Ladies in News, A Chicago Personal Brand and Fierce 50. Recently, she was honored as a Cultural Catalyst: 30 Women Who Impact Chicago’s Art & Entertainment Scenes.

An advocate for Chicago’s nonprofit community, Candace has supported and been honored by many organizations. Highlights include PAWS Chicago (inaugural Community Engagement Award winner), Eversight Illinois (Woman of Vision), Chicago Lighthouse (Woman with FLAIR honoree), WINGS (inaugural “Blossom” event honoree) and Giordano Dance Chicago (Legacy Ball honoree), among others. 

Her charitable affiliations include: The Joffrey Ballet's Women's Board (past vice-president and co-founder of one of its most popular fundraisers, "Couture & Cocktails"); Common Threads (Auxiliary Board co-founder); Ronald McDonald House Charities (Auxiliary Women’s Board at Lurie Children's--a founding board member); Service Club of Chicago (Board of Managers); Chicago Lighthouse (President’s Advisory Council member); Giordano Dance Chicago (Board of Directors), PAWS Chicago (Development Board), Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation, founding board member) and Aparecio Foundation (board member), among others.

Her theater work includes staging her original play, "A Facebook Fairytale," at Victory Gardens Theater and performing at the Goodman and Royal George theaters.

Married to Charles Jordan for 35 years, Candace treasures rare books, Christmas and vintage convertible road trips with their rescue Chihuahua Penny. 

Ashlea Pazan (née Hearn), Account Manager & Associate Editor for Chicago Star Media

Ashlea is a writer, musician, and avid golfer originally from Edwardsville, IL. As the Associate Editor and an Account Manager, Ashlea oversees Chicago Star's editorial calendar and marketing projects for clients. In May 2021, she became a published fiction author with her first YA action novel Genesis Mortalis, Book 1 of the Take It Trilogy. Much of her book was inspired by her eight years in the Army Reserves—including her leadership experiences as a First Lieutenant—and her childhood love for "James Bond" and "Mission: Impossible" movies.

Outside of her work, Ashlea enjoys running a personal lifestyle blog for young women called “Sincerely, Ashlea” where she gives advice on topics like style, beauty, and wellness, and reviews restaurants and travel experiences. When she’s not writing articles or books, Ashlea also enjoys practicing violin and piano—which she has played since the age of 11—and composing pieces for both orchestra and solo piano.

As a writer with Chicago Star, Ashlea has especially enjoyed covering new restaurant openings—her favorites last year include Toro Chicago and La Grande Boucherie—and attending glamorous events at the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera House.   

Ashlea was recently married in January 2025 to her husband Aidan, whom she met in the Army’s lieutenant training in Fort Lee, Virginia.  

Meet Jon Cohn, Contributing Writer for Chicago Star

Jon first started writing for Chicago Star back in its early days when it was known as New Eastside News. Though Jon has never trained in any formal writing, he has maintained a growing interest in media. By chance, he happened to meet Elaine Hyde—Chicago Star’s publisher, who used to be an editor back then—which led to a decades-long writing career with the paper and website.

His writing interest grew over the years, and he has now written and published three books in addition to writing columns for Chicago Star and other suburban papers.

Jon, age 68, is a lifelong north suburban resident, who recently moved from the suburbs to the Lakeside East neighborhood in Chicago.  He also spends part of the year in Florida.

Jon is the father of two boys and has been married to his wife Ann for 31 years.

Jon’s career over the years has had many different levels, often with sports as a central theme. He has been a recreation director, physical education teacher, sports announcer, referee and official, and opened his own imprinted sportswear business along the way.

Among his current passions are volunteering for a number of organizations, both here in Chicago and in Florida; he also enjoys reading, listening to live music, and going to high school sports contests.

Jon loves writing and plans on continuing with Chicago Star while enjoying being the “elder statesman” of the vast array of writers now on board.

Susan Berkes, Contributing Writer for Chicago Star 

Susan Berkes is a freelance reporter for Chicago Star Media. She writes the popular feature column, “Doorperson of the Month,” which is notably Chicago Star's most long-standing monthly article since its inception. For "Doorperson of the Month," Susan receives nominations from Chicago apartment buildings and highlights one each month with an interview. Each honoree is awarded a $25 Mariano's gift card from Chicago Star. Susan occasionally writes on other Chicago topics.

Susan Berkes is also an on-air Traffic Reporter for WBBM Newsradio 780-AM and 105.9-FM. Before arriving at Chicago Star Media, Susan’s versatility allowed her to serve on-air as a news and traffic anchor for WGN-AM, and as a traffic reporter for WGN-TV.

Susan completed her undergraduate work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned her Master’s Degree from DePaul University. She also enjoys volunteer work and performing stand-up comedy.

Annalisa Wilson, Contributing Writer for Chicago Star 

Annalisa Wilson has had many roles in life—teacher, marketing professional, executive assistant—but the one she is most proud of is being a mom. Since she married her best friend, being a wife has always felt easy. The past thirty years with her husband haven’t always been smooth, but facing life’s challenges together has made everything worthwhile. As a mom of adult children, Annalisa has mastered the art of unsolicited advice and having thick skin. Being unapologetically herself may not always be the easiest, but it’s her truth, and she wouldn’t change a thing.

Teaching has always been Annalisa’s passion. She was a high school English and Creative Writing teacher and a tutor for a college readiness program. Life hasn’t always been predictable; Annalisa has faced her share of unexpected turns. In her fifties, she found herself taking a step back to reevaluate her journey.

Annalisa has always been told that she is a talented writer. Even though she turned down several opportunities to write for publications, she has had a few pieces published along the way. It wasn’t until recently that Annalisa decided to fully embrace writing.

As a writer, Annalisa strives to take everyday life and see it through a unique perspective. She is here to share stories that make people think, laugh, and maybe even wonder. When Annalisa is not writing, she can be found in the kitchen or curled up in one of the many little nooks set up throughout her home reading anything with words.

Amina Sergazina, Contributing Writer for Chicago Star 

Amina Sergazina is a passionate journalist with roots that span continents. Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Amina embarked on a life-changing journey when she immigrated to the United States. Russian is her first language, but her love for communication transcends linguistic boundaries.

Amina’s passion for local reporting and effecting change through journalism led her to pursue a degree in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago. 

Throughout her career, Amina has had the privilege of working with several esteemed publications like Landmark and Austin Weekly News. Her time at Chicago Magazine broadened her horizons, allowing her to explore diverse stories across the vibrant city she now calls home.

Currently, Amina is a civic reporter at the Harvey World Herald where she reports on politics in Harvey, Illinois. And of course here at the Chicago Star Media, Amina continues to pursue her passion for local reporting. 

Amina’s journey from Kazakhstan to Chicago has shaped her worldview and fuels her dedication to journalism. She believes in the power of local reporting to bring about positive change in communities.