Jennifer Preston

Jennifer Preston is a journalist and founder and director of Accelerate Philanthropy for Journalism, a new project designed to help unlock more philanthropic resources for independent journalism that centers equity in service of communities. The first major initiative is a comprehensive research study that examines the expanding role of philanthropy in support of journalism with NORC at the University of Chicago, in partnership and Media Impact Funders and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The project provides donor education and technical assistance to civic leaders and funders looking to address the local news crisis in their communities. In support of news leaders, she's a coach in the Local Media Association's successful Journalism Funding Lab. A former Vice President for Journalism at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, she managed one of the largest philanthropic portfolios for journalism, press freedom and innovation in the U.S. Before joining Knight in 2014, Jennifer spent almost two decades at The New York Times as a reporter, editor, senior newsroom executive and the newsroom's first social media editor. She is deeply grateful to the Online News Association community for the inspiration that helped her lead early digital innovation efforts in the Times newsroom and later funding the people driving change in the field. Jennifer previously served as an elected board member of the Online News Association.

Website: http://linkedin.com/in/jennifermpreston