The Pivot Publisher Series: Preparing for Transitions: Succession Planning

The Pivot Publisher Series was created to equip hyperlocal BIPOC publishers and news leaders with tools, strategies, and tactics to support their growth and continued success. Each month, the series brought together industry experts, experienced publishers, and newsroom leaders to share best practices on topics ranging from organizational design to hiring top talent and more.

The series kicked off with Preparing for Transitions: Succession Planning, a conversation focused on navigating the intricacies of leadership transitions.

Panelists explored questions such as: How can you exit responsibly, in a way that honors the work you’ve built? What role is philanthropy playing in supporting digital news pioneers? When is the right time to begin planning?

Moderator Evelyn Hsu, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute, was joined by panelists Mukhtar Ibrahim, founder of the Sahan Journal; Randall Yip, founder and editor of AsAmNews; and Jane McDonnell, CEO of Free Range Media and former executive director of the Online News Association. Together, they shared personal experiences, strategies for seamless leadership transitions, and practical tools to secure long-term success for community-rooted newsrooms.

Presenters

• Mukhtar Ibrahim, founder of the Sahan Journal
• Randall Yip, founder and editor of AsAmNews
• Jane McDonnell, CEO of free range media and former executive director of the Online News Association

Moderator

Moderator Evelyn Hsu, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute