Embarking on a career in journalism often involves unexpected detours and evolving passions. For one seasoned editor at Fortune Magazine, the path began with a fascination for women’s voices in media, meandered through the exciting world of travel and consumer journalism, and ultimately converged on a powerful platform championing women in business. This journey, marked by diverse experiences at publications like SmartMoney Magazine and Money Magazine, showcases the dynamic nature of the media landscape and the opportunities that arise when passion meets adaptability. This narrative offers valuable insights for aspiring journalists and anyone interested in the evolving role of media in shaping conversations around business and gender.
Before landing at Fortune, this editor honed her skills at SmartMoney Magazine and Money Magazine for a decade. During this time, her writing and editing spanned a range of topics from travel and retail to automobiles, real estate, and consumer products. While this diverse beat provided a rich foundation in financial journalism, her move to Fortune signaled a deliberate pivot towards a long-held interest: amplifying the voices of women in the business world. This shift wasn’t a sudden change, but rather a return to a foundational passion. As she recalls, her early aspirations were rooted in feminist-leaning women’s magazines, inspired by publications like Sassy and the Glamour era led by Cindi Leive. However, the practicalities of the publishing industry led her to business and financial journalism, where staff writer positions were more readily available. Her time at SmartMoney, despite its eventual closure, proved formative, revealing the unexpected appeal of business journalism, particularly when combined with the allure of the travel beat. Therefore, when the opportunity at Fortune arose, it presented itself as an ideal synthesis of her accumulated experience and her original journalistic aspirations.
At Fortune, her role extends beyond traditional editing to include significant responsibilities within the magazine’s influential “Most Powerful Women” franchise. This encompasses editing The Broadsheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter dedicated to the world’s most powerful women, and co-chairing the prestigious Most Powerful Women Summit. These initiatives, while established before her arrival, have been significantly shaped by her vision and leadership. The Most Powerful Women franchise, with its lists, special issues, digital content, and live events, has been a Fortune institution for over two decades. However, its substantial growth during her tenure is undeniable. A key aspect of her role has been ensuring the franchise’s continued relevance and evolution, recognizing that longevity in media requires constant adaptation and a proactive role in shaping contemporary dialogues.
Her approach to The Broadsheet exemplifies this philosophy. Upon taking over, she recognized and preserved the newsletter’s core appeal: delivering smart and concise news curation to a dedicated readership. However, she also sought to inject more personal voice and opinion. This led to a format change, incorporating a short daily column to lead the newsletter, allowing for a more direct engagement with readers and the exploration of ideas beyond curated news. Furthermore, the criteria for the annual Most Powerful Women in Business list underwent a significant evolution under her guidance. While traditional metrics like company size, profitability, and economic impact remained crucial, a qualitative dimension was introduced: the responsible use of power. This shift reflects a broader understanding of corporate responsibility, considering how executives leverage their influence to benefit employees, communities, and the global landscape. This elevated standard acknowledges the growing expectation that businesses should contribute to societal well-being beyond shareholder enrichment, aligning with Fortune’s long-standing tradition and its commitment to reflecting and shaping the evolving business world since its inception in 1929.
Navigating various roles within Fortune, her career trajectory mirrors the realities of many media organizations, particularly smaller ones, where upward mobility often means expanding responsibilities rather than relinquishing previous tasks. Her progression has involved broadening her project portfolio and assuming a more prominent role in staff collaboration and editorial strategy. A particularly rewarding aspect of her position has been the opportunity to acquire new skills beyond the core journalistic functions of reporting, writing, and editing. Fortune has provided a platform to learn event programming, on-stage moderation for engaging and informative conversations, and direct reader engagement through newsletters. Recognizing the transformative changes within journalism since her early career, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning to remain relevant and effective in the evolving media landscape.
Looking ahead, predicting the future of media and individual career paths within it remains inherently uncertain. With considerable experience in the field, she acknowledges the futility of rigid career predictions and instead advocates for embracing flexibility and welcoming unforeseen opportunities. This open and adaptable approach is crucial in the ever-shifting world of media, where the only constant is change.
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