The directors of the Foundation Board of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism have chosen Stacy-Marie Ishmael, a digital media star who is editorial director of The Texas Tribune, as their next chair.
She takes over the role from Founding Dean Emeritus Stephen B. Shepard, who will remain on the board.
“The Foundation Board works tirelessly to support the school and its essential role in the media ecosystem,” Ishmael said. “This is a tremendous responsibility at a pivotal moment for the school, our students, and our alumni, and it is an honor to be able to serve in this way.”
“We are so pleased that Stacy-Marie is taking on this leadership role to help us build more support for the school,” Dean Sarah Bartlett added. “As someone who has both taught courses and been a participant in our programs, she will be able to represent us well with all our constituencies.”
Prior to joining the Austin-based Texas Tribune, Ishmael was a senior editor at Apple, managing editor for mobile at BuzzFeed News, and vice president of communities at the Financial Times.
Earlier this year, Fortune named her to its 40 Under 40 list in Media and Entertainment.
A native of Trinidad, Ishmael is a graduate of the London School of Economics. She also received an Advanced Certificate in Entrepreneurial Journalism from the Newmark J-School’s Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism in 2012.
The Newmark J-School Foundation funds scholarships and internship stipends as well as research, training, and programmatic activities in support of the school’s educational mission.