About Us

Tania Hossain
Managing Editor

Tania serves as the Managing Editor of The Fairfax Independent and co-partner of The Independent News Press, which publishes a consortium of local newspapers and supports hometown authors.

She holds master’s degrees in public policy and national security management from George Mason University. With a career spanning three decades, Tania has experience in the multistate expansion, growth, and operations of an American Fortune 500 company, and worked for a global patent licensing firm. She has extensive experience in local government and had brief engagements in state and federal governments.

Over the last decade she has redefined herself as a quintessential American entrepreneur. She focuses on photography portfolio, wellness store and publishing work. She owns Studio B by Tania Hossain Photography a newborn and kids studio located in the City.

She started as a GMU student and now thrilled to own two businesses in her beloved City.

Taslima Islam
Web Content Manager

Taslima lives with her family in Northern Virginia and completed her master’s in computer science this past May.

She loves Fairfax City, where many of her favorite clients are based. As a freelance web developer, she creates custom websites and recently joined The Fairfax Independent as a website content manager.

Tyler Mains
Sports Writer

Tyler grew up in Fairfax, Virginia. He went to college at the University of South Carolina and decided to return home and attend law school at American University Washington College of Law. He has a passion for writing and was always tied into sports. He was a part of the school newspaper at his school as a sports columnist. He thought there wouldn’t be a better opportunity to return home to the place I love and write for sports here!

He joins The Fairfax Independent as a sports writer.

Heather Durkin
City & Government Writer

Heather is a writer and librarian from Fairfax City. She is a former research reporter for U.S News and World Report and producer for the Washington Post. She holds a MS in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston, MA. She also worked in the Government and Finance Division of the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress as an information professional.

She has a BA in Communications from VA Tech.

She joins The Fairfax Independent as a City & Government writer.

Caleb Brooks
Sports Writer

Caleb is a home-schooled high school freshman deeply enthusiastic about sports. He plays catcher and pitcher for his travel baseball team as well as shooting guard and center for his basketball team.

Caleb recently joined The Fairfax Independent as a sports reporter covering high school athletics.

Layla Mohran
Public Policy & Entertainment Writer

Layla has lived in Fairfax County her entire life. She is currently a junior at George C. Marshall High School and enjoys writing about her experiences, entertainment stories, and other school news. Layla has been writing for her school magazine for three years and plans to continue during her senior year.

She joined The Fairfax Independent as a public policy and entertainment writer.

Savi Mamgain
Marketing Coordinator

Savi has lived in Fairfax, Virginia for her whole life. She is a senior at Woodson High School and is very interested in the history of the City of Fairfax. She joined The Fairfax Independent as a marketing and social media coordinator.

Hannah Lee
Policy & Government Writer

Hannah is a senior at Centreville High School, where she seeks initiative in the educational community and the representation of the student body. Along with her dedication to education, Lee has interned with the Office of the County Attorney in Fairfax County and Chap Petersen & Associates, PLLC.

She devotes her free time to working with children, trying new cafes, and fishing on the coast. She hopes to ultimately become an attorney.

Hannah recently joined The Fairfax Independent as a featured writer on policy and government.

Angie Tran
Art Director

Angie is a creative and technical marketing professional with 20 years of experience in the creative development of several successful marketing programs, branding and design in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.

As a marketing consultant, she supports non-profits and small business owners with creating their brand personalities, building websites and managing their social media.

She’s a food lover and you can often find her running around town photographing local food spots and sharing her journey through Instagram @Crazychewygood.

She joins The Fairfax Independent as the Art Director.

Grace Brooks
History & Politics Writer

Grace was born and raised in the City of Fairfax. As a lifelong resident of the area, she is passionate about telling the stories of its people, examining the politics that affect its community, and understanding its history.

In July, Grace graduated from the College of William & Mary with a master’s degree in history, specializing in the politics of the 1920s and 1930s. She recently joined The Fairfax Independent as a featured writer on politics and history.