Jeanne Pimentel
Jeanne Pimentel is an independent publishing professional based in Berkeley, California, with a career shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and French, Jeanne began her media journey working with the BBC in England before immigrating to the United States. Her early career included work in educational and instructional film production in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, experiences that deepened her connection to storytelling and visual media.
Over the course of more than two decades, Jeanne built a respected career as a freelance copy editor in the publishing industry. Known for her sharp editorial eye and dedication to clarity, she contributed to a wide range of publications, bringing precision and polish to complex written work. Though largely self-directed in her professional development, she cultivated her expertise through hands-on experience and an enduring commitment to meaningful, engaging content.
Even after stepping back from paid freelance work, Jeanne continued to support causes aligned with her values through volunteer copy editing. Most notably, she served as copy editor for Street Spirit, a publication focused on homelessness and social justice issues. Guided by a lifelong passion for writing, journalism, and the arts, Jeanne has consistently followed work that inspires her—building a career defined not by convention, but by purpose and intellectual curiosity.
• Publishing & Audio Visual Production
• University of California @ Berkeley
• Bay Area Editors Forum
• Volunteer Copy Editor for Street Spirit Magazine
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being open to new opportunities and taking chances when they come my way. My main thing is everything happened by chance for me, and when I get an opportunity, I think, well, that sounds interesting, and I take it. The particular circumstances I'm in and the people I happen to meet have really geared my whole life. I've always been drawn to media, writing, and journalism, and I simply won't do anything that I really don't like or find boring for very long. I left school young and had to support myself, but I was determined not to do anything boring, so I applied to the BBC and said, could I work there, and they said yes, and that started things off.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Bring positivity to your team, and you will get it back., learn from others, dont be afraid to take chances.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open and honest, eager to learn, accept new challenges, dont be intimidated by others-know your worth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Staying involved in the Publishing, film making, and continue to network to help others make beautiful films and books!
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Be kind and respectful to others, be a great Mentor to others, be a good listener, making a difference every day.