Introducing LION’s 2023-2024 board and executive leadership

Following its annual meeting in October, LION Publishers has new board leadership and is thanking three members for their years of service as they exit the board.

The board voted unanimously to approve Gunita Singh as chair, in accordance with the bylaws, following a year of service as vice chair. Singh, a staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, joined LION’s board in 2021.

“With the unveiling of LION’s five-year strategic plan this past October, I couldn’t be more excited about LION’s vision for its members and local news, generally,” Singh said. “And I have no doubt LION’s leaders will execute that vision with creativity, dedication, and zeal.”

The board also unanimously elected Scalawag Executive Director and LION member Cierra Hinton as vice chair. Hinton has served on the board since 2020.

Rebekah Monson, LION’s outgoing chair, will be the immediate past chair of LION’s executive committee and chair of the newly created membership committee. More details on this committee are forthcoming.

In addition to the leadership transitions, LION’s board congratulated three outgoing members and officers. Jay Allred, LION’s former chair and vice chair who leads LION member organization Richland Source, stepped down after eight years of service. Rosemary Hoban, who served as secretary and leads LION member organization NC Health News, stepped down after six years. Shannon Shaw Duty, who joined LION’s board in 2021 and leads LION member organization Osage News, also stepped down in October.

Finally, the board welcomed new committee leadership. Board member Neil Chase, CEO of CalMatters, now chairs the governance committee, and board member Anita Li, founder of The Green Line, chairs the board development committee. Anyone interested in serving in a board or committee member capacity is encouraged to contact the board using this form.