The Society for News Design is pleased to announce that LeeAnn Mandrillo has been named Executive Director of the organization, effective Monday, August 8, 2022. Following an extensive international, months-long search, led by an appointed search committee, Mandrillo will assume a full-time leadership role to help the Society grow and navigate the organization’s future.
Mandrillo is an experienced association manager whose work has ranged from strategic planning and program development, to fundraising pipelines and revenue acquisition ($10 million-plus), and public relations.
In her various roles she has worn many hats, including digital strategist, marketing consultant, organizational change agent, partnership and coalition builder, and issues advocate.
Most recently serving as an Executive Director for the The National Board for Certified Counselors, leading their client the Art Therapy Credential Board she managed a $3 million annual budget and financial planning processes; she grew staff by 75%; enlarged the board by 25%; generated new funding streams, fees, and investment interest; and increased revenue by $600,000+.
Mandrillo has also been an independent owner/operator of her consultancy, LMC, for the past decade, counseling clients about leadership, board development, fundraising, communications, public relations, revenue generation, infrastructure planning, cause marketing, needs assessment, evaluation, networking, and program development. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of the Hunger Action Network of New York State.
Mandrillo is a graduate of Rutgers University. She has an MPA in Public Affairs, Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
“I walked away from every interview and conversation we had with LeeAnn feeling like she just taught me something that would help improve our Society. She was coaching us and making a difference before we even offered her the position. Her knowledge, insight and energy will, without a doubt, help make SND a better society,” said Ryan Hildebrandt, Vice President of SND Board of Directors.
As executive director, Mandrillo has chief responsibility for SND’s programs, initiatives, finances and partnerships, and works at the direction of the Board of Directors. The Society, which will mark its 44th year in 2023, champions visual journalism across the globe.
“The contributions of visual communicators are critical for journalism. The way we consume information is ever-changing, and the need for an open exchange of easily digested information is needed now more than ever,” said Mandrillo. “I am honored and excited to join SND. I was immediately drawn to the passion and dedication of every person on the search committee. I believe that professional associations are the backbone of a profession; a forum to cultivate ideas and innovations, mentor rising leaders, and foster collaboration and fellowship. I feel that SND fully understands and embraces this, and the leadership is committed to evolving SND to ensure its members have the tools, education, and networks needed to navigate the changing world and empower transmedia storytellers. SND is perched to do important and impactful work; I am thrilled to be part of it!”
“The board is thrilled to welcome LeeAnn as our next executive director,” said Rebecca R. Markovitz, President of SND Board of Directors. “We cannot wait to see all of the growth and development we can accomplish with her at the helm. At the same time, we would like to extend our deepest thanks to interim executive director Paige K. Connor, who, on top of being a continual volunteer for the Society, stepped up in our time of need and kept the organization running when we all needed her help. Also, a giant round of thanks goes to Steve Dorsey and the rest of the search committee, whose efforts resulted in finding a wonderful new executive director for the Society. We are so thankful to them for all of their dedication and commitment to SND, and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
“I was impressed by LeeAnn’s quick grasp of the Society’s opportunities in the face of challenge, and her enthusiasm for our mission,” said Steve Dorsey, a past president of SND.
Dorsey led an international 10-person search committee composed of past Society leaders and contributors, as well as thought leaders in digital media and adjacent media associations. Special thanks to the search committee: Tracy Collins, Alex K. Fong, Scott Goldman, Björn Heselius, Linda Häggström, Mandy Jenkins, Greg Manifold, Rebecca Monson, Sara Quinn and Jon Wile.
Mandrillo succeeds Tiffany Shackelford, who had only just begun her first term when she died suddenly in late 2020. We thank past president Paige K. Connor for her steadfast work since then to continue Shackelford’s efforts to get Society’s operations organized and updated, and thank Connor for her critical service as the interim director during this unexpected and challenging period, which included shifting from in-person international competitions and annual events during the pandemic, as well as completely restructuring the board of directors.
We encourage everyone to reach out and welcome Mandrillo (director@snd.org). Don’t hesitate to share your ideas or questions directly with her or with board members.