Photo by Sophie Mathewson
I am a media executive who drives revenue through editorial strategies that grow audiences by connecting them to content, products, and experiences that help them live their best lives. I believe the future of news lies in building meaningful consumer habits, and, ultimately, community.
I have a proven track record of creating ambitious editorial strategies that meet audience needs; launching projects, products and teams; and getting internal buy-in to try new things. I’m known for collaborating with divisions around the company to ensure we’re aligned on meeting goals and exploring where we can maximize impact. I’m an operational problem solving whiz. I like to run toward tricky problems and will raise my hand for whatever opportunity comes next.
I have previously worked as the transformation chief at Gannett, the editorial director at FORTUNE, the managing editor at VICE, a strategist at the Wall Street Journal, and at Fusion, the Sun Sentinel, the Los Angeles Times, and the Huntsville Times.
Specializing in digital innovation, content strategy, and organizational change, I consult with media brands, consumer companies, and nonprofits seeking audience, revenue, and brand growth. I advise senior leaders on their business strategies and help teams embrace experimentation, work collaboratively, and bring new products to market. My services include:
I frequently speak and write on the state of journalism, leadership, and newsroom culture. I have a weekly newsletter. I was a member of the 2023 Online News Association Executive Women Leaders Salon and 2016 ONA-Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media class.
I block out time on Fridays to mentor women and people of color in journalism. Want more? Check out my coaching packages.
I read a lot of books.
Get in touch at rachel.b.lobdell@gmail.com.
The voter is the VIP | Nieman Lab
How a high-risk pregnancy shifted my perspective on work | FORTUNE
The value of push alerts goes beyond open rates | Nieman Lab
The stakes are higher for women in charge of safety | Poynter
Raise your hand if you're new here | Poynter
A guide for managers on navigating performance reviews | Poynter
Know when to leave your job | Poynter
The state of fertility benefits across the journalism industry | Poynter
An editor's guide to creating an online portfolio | Poynter
Nearly three years later, a WDBJ anchor shares how her newsroom survived tragedy | Poynter
Women in public-facing journalism jobs are exhausted by harassment | Poynter
Finding a personal style at work is full of roadblocks for women | Poynter
Helping junior colleagues lead can help you grow as a manager | Poynter
Why volunteering for opportunities at work is critical for women | Poynter
Better design helps differentiate opinion and news | Nieman Lab
Women feel the emotional weight of telling our stories | Society of Professional Journalists
When hiring isn’t hell, it looks like this | Source
Stop flying over the flyover states | Nieman Lab
An open letter to newsroom hiring managers | Source
Good code runs on good communication | Source
ONA Women's Leadership Accelerator 2023: Served as guest faculty lecturing on exploring perfectionism and providing career coaching
Women In Journalism 2019: Professional development & career growth
ONA St. Louis 2018: Professional development & brand building
SRCCON 2018: Reflecting on how the media covers itself
NICAR 2017: How to make data approachable for younger audiences
Bonnier Digital Forum 2016; Stockholm, Sweden: Interactive journalism and new formats workshop
NICAR 2016: Co-facilitated the mentorship roundtable
SRCCON 2015: How to manage interactive projects when you're a team of one