Hinton, Chase win leadership roles on LION’s board of directors

It’s an era of new leadership for LION’s board of directors, with the body electing Cierra Hinton, the former publisher of Scalawag Magazine and director of development at Blue Engine Collaborative, as chair for the start of a two-year term. 

“I’m deeply honored to step into the role of board chair for LION at such a pivotal time for local independent news,” Hinton said. “LION’s members are proving every day that sustainable, community-rooted journalism is possible, and I’m thrilled to help guide our collective work to strengthen our ecosystem and grow its impact.”

Hinton has been serving as vice chair of LION since 2023. Per the organization’s bylaws, the vice chair serves as chair-in-waiting; accordingly, the board also elected CalMatters CEO Neil Chase to the vice chair role.

“I’m impressed every day by independent publishers doing the meaningful work their communities desperately need right now,” Chase said. “It’s an honor to be able to support the LION team and work with the talented, creative people on its board.”

The board, which now numbers 12 volunteers with a range of experience, including diaspora, Indigenous, local, and statewide publishers, has begun a formal strategic planning process, facilitated by Point B(e) Strategies, a Colorado-based firm that specializes in facilitating strategic plans.

“It’s a big year for LION Publishers and our members, with the national Press Forward initiative rolling into year three of five, persistent business challenges, and an unprecedented flood of daily news,” said Chris Krewson, LION’s executive director. “I could not be more excited for this board of directors to tackle the big questions our members and their communities are facing.”

Immediate past chair Gunita Singh, staff attorney at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, was elected treasurer. Vania André, publisher and editor of the Haitian Times, was elected chair of the membership committee.

The board, which meets virtually every quarter, will meet again in person before the 2026 Independent News Sustainability Summit in San Diego from September 9-11.