November 25, 2024

After a record number of ballots submitted and an extremely close election with only two votes separating first through third place, two candidates broke through the pool of 14 to win three-year terms on the board: Corinne Colbert, the Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Athens County Independent and Gillian White, the Chief Revenue Officer of Capital B. 

Last fall, INN’s board of directors amended the bylaws to advance the board’s goal for diverse representation. This year, the board continued to modify the election process to better capture the will of the members. Instead of providing a slate of recommended candidates, the board chose to identify key traits it sees as needed on the current board and asked all interested candidates to articulate how they advance those goals. 

The board sought out candidates who can address immediate needs or who will help ensure the board remains strong as current members’ terms expire. This included individuals who represent the needs and views of local and hyperlocal organizations, who bring a strong background and interest in finance and budgeting and individuals who advance the diversity, in all its forms, of the board.

Colbert and White both bring a deep understanding of the importance of serving their communities through journalism.

Prior to launching Athens County Independent, Colbert was an editor at the Athens News but was fired eight months into her tenure for warning readers about misleading advertising in the publication. Her tweets about being fired went viral, inspiring a crowdfunding campaign that raised $18,000 to launch the independent nonprofit news organization in Athens County.   

In her candidate statement, Colbert wrote that, “every newsroom job I’ve ever had — from intern to editor in chief — was in hyperlocal news. I know what it’s like to report, edit and publish news in a small town, often without the resources and support needed to be most effective.” 

Corinne Colbert was endorsed by Steve Schewe of Eden Prairie Local News and Ashton Marra of 100 Days in Appalachia, who said Colbert “lives the experience of a local newsroom and will be invaluable in bringing that perspective to INN.”

Gillian White joins the Board of Directors with an expertise in building sustainable businesses. Before joining Capital B, Gillian was a managing editor at The Atlantic, where she oversaw special projects, podcasts and editorial Atlantic Live events. She has experience as a writer and editor covering business and economics and started her career on Wall Street as an analyst. 

White noted her experience working for and with different communities has allowed her to think critically to “understand the varied needs, goals, and audiences of the nonprofit news organization and make sure that we are not applying one-size-fits all solutions to their challenges.” 

White was endorsed by Lance Knobel of Cityside and Ron Smith of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Smith wrote that White “will bring new ideas to the board as INN fleshes out strategy to serve a diverse membership.”

Smith, who currently serves on the Board of Directors, will be stepping down, as will Kyra Kyles, formerly of YR Media. INN thanks them both for their wisdom and participation while they served on the board. 

Colbert’s and White’s terms will begin Jan. 1, 2025 and run until Dec. 31, 2027.