Scholar Profile

Francis Poon

Media

Biography

A Peabody Award-nominated journalist, documentary producer, magazine editor, event organizer, graphic designer, project supervisor, Editorial Director, Francis is the "Swiss Army Knife" of storytelling.

He tells human stories behind social issues, such as military sexual assault, anti-Asian hate, artificial intelligence, psychedelics, gun violence, incarceration, influencer culture, the environment, the mental health and homelessness crisis.

In a 15-year career spanning across television, print and live events, he has produced nearly 100+ award-winning documentaries for CNN, PBS, Hulu with Lisa Ling, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Skoll, Magic Johnson, Maria Hinojosa and Michael Anders. He has also launched, edited, designed magazines and daily newspapers and moderated live panels. His latest venture is WONDERING, a digital magazine sharing global stories with an intimate lens.

Aside from his work creating impactful social journalism, Francis is involved with the Milken community through the Milken Book Club and is an inaugural member of the Milken Alumni Fund.

Francis is a graduate of NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Studies with a degree concentration in visual culture and education. He also studied abroad in Spain and Ghana. Before moving to New York, he was born and raised in Hong Kong for the first 12 years of his life and lived in the San Gabriel Valley (626) outside Los Angeles.

High school:  Glen Wilson High School

Degrees

News and Highlights

12/17/2023 Francis Poon (MS '09)

On the Red Carpet. Congratulations to Francis Poon, MS ’09, for winning the 2023 Imagen Award for Best Documentary for his film, Frontline: After Uvalde: Guns, Grief and Texas Politics.  The Imagen Foundation was created to support and encourage the inclusion of Latino talent, executives, and voices in all aspects of the creative process in entertainment media, celebrating individuals and entities who elevate the image and status of Latino talent in front of and behind the camera. See the full list of awardees here.

10/29/2019 Francis Poon (MS '09)

In the spotlight: Francis Poon MS’ 09, celebrated a 6^th season premiere of his series This is Life with Lisa Ling, in September 2019. The CNN original documentary television series produced by Part2 Pictures explores different American communities & social issues in America today.  You can watch these Sunday nights at 10pm and if you’ve missed any of the 43 episodes, you can download them on Amazon or iTunes.  As a true Milken Scholar family member, Francis invited Diana Hong MS ’99 to provide support on translation needed for one of his most recent episodes.  Make sure to watch! 

Francis Poon (MS '09)

Very photogenic. Francis Poon, MS ’09, is currently a Photo Intern at Esquire Magazine’s New York City offices, in addition to all of his work for NYU’s Washington Square News.