The Society for News Design Board of Directors reports, Interim Executive Director, Paige K. Connor, has informed the board of her decision to not renew her contract with SND at its completion in April 2022.
“During my time as a board member, and then elected officer, my ultimate hope was to rethink and reimagine SND to match the changing times, the shifting demands of our industry, and build trust through transparency with our members and the larger design community,” Paige said in her letter to the board. “My decision to step down from this role is made easier because of the work of so many in the past years, and my trust and faith in the SND Board of Directors, and SND community at large, to continue with this work.”
Paige has been a part of SND Leadership for the past seven years, joining the Board as the Membership Director in 2015 following her role as Volunteer Coordinator for the 2015 SND Annual Workshop and Conference in Washington, DC. She was elected as an SND officer in 2017.
“I hope our members understand how truly lucky we’ve been to have Paige as part of our organization,” said Ryan Hildebrandt, Senior Manager for Digital and Print Design, Gannett, and Vice President of the SND Board of Directors. “She’s stepped up repeatedly since she joined – first as a volunteer organizer, then as a board member, as an events planner, as an elected officer of SND, and finally again last year, during a time of uncertainty when we needed it most, as Executive Director. Her dedication, knowledge, fairness, and care for this organization and its members has put us in a good position to grow SND for the future. Paige has been the bridge the new Board needed to start the next chapter of our society, and we’re so thankful for her guidance.”
During her time as a board member and officer, Paige recognized the changing demands of the industry and worked with fellow officers to implement change and build transparency and trust with SND members. She served as the volunteer coordinator for SND San Francisco and SND Charlotte. As chair of the 2020 Annual Workshop, she led the workshop committee in the creation of SND’s first-ever Virtual Conference.
Following the unexpected passing of SND Executive Director, Tiffany Shackelford, the SND Leadership and Executive Committee asked her to stay on with the organization to help transition the organization during this very difficult time.
“Like a lot of organizations, 2020 shook the Society to its core, but losing Tiffany so early in her time as our Executive Director was devastating,” said Ryan Sparrow, former executive committee member. “I’m not sure if many members know or appreciate just how much work Paige did to keep the Society moving, and it back on track during this period, or how much work she did to help find a path forward. She leaves SND in a stronger position than I’ve seen it in many, many years. It’s impossible to thank her enough.”
The SND Board of Directors is currently in the early stages of searching for a new executive director. We will be reviewing the role and announcing the public search in the next few weeks. The Board will be forming an independent search committee to review candidate applications, interview candidates and make a recommendation to the board on this position. Once the committee is formed, SND will post the position on SND.org and begin accepting applications. We expect this process to take 3-4 months.
Below is Interim Executive Director Paige K. Connor’s message to the board in its entirety.
Board of Directors:
When I took on the role of Interim Executive Director in January 2021, it was simply to help keep the organization going following the vacancy left after Tiffany Shackelford’s devastating death. My role was always intended to be temporary, to help the Society through a time of crisis — the loss of two SND leaders, the collected effects of an ongoing pandemic and the burden we faced to repair an inactive membership — and to help SND transition as it found its footing again amid a still-changing news industry.
Now, with the transition to a newly established Board of Directors, more stable financials, and a newly re-engaged membership, it is time for me to step away from my role as Interim Executive Director, at the completion of my contract in April 2022, so that SND can fill the position with its next permanent docent to guide the organization into the next era.
I am proud of the work the volunteers of this organization have done since January 2021. The teams that came together at a very difficult time to ensure the survival and evolution of the organization, and they cannot be thanked enough for their time, resources and dedication. It is because of their efforts, SND:
- Passed motions to make major leadership changes to SND, opening pathways for reinvention through new leadership models and bylaws.
- Established multi-year long term goals for the Society, strategies and operational goals to move ideas into action.
- Created a new monthly series to keep our community connected and sharing information and inspiration during a turbulent year.
- Launched a new website to better communicate the value and offerings of SND to the visual storytelling and journalism community.
- Enhanced our communication and engagement with members.
- Produced a bi-weekly newsletter to keep our design community informed more about the industry, our group’s events and members.
- Deployed teams to monitor SND communications on multi-channels, ensuring that our members and potential members were responded to in a timely manner.
- Worked tirelessly to put SND on the path to financial stability.
- Exceeded profit goals by more than $60,000 in 2021, which will allow the funding and development of future programs and initiatives.
- Decreased spending 40% through a review of spending accounts and the consolidation of software and services.
- Resumed and followed through on a project started by Shackelford to modernize record-keeping and update financial tracking to ensure financial transparency across all areas of the organization.
- Maintained membership levels by increasing member-only offerings, requiring the community to renew or check their membership status throughout the year.
As I prepare to step aside, I’m committed to aiding SND in the search for a new executive director, and work closely with the newly appointed executive director to ensure a smooth transition of all documents, processes, and procedural knowledge.
During my time as a board member and then elected officer, my ultimate hope was to rethink and reimagine SND to match the changing times, the shifting demands of our industry, and build trust through transparency with our members and the larger design community. My decision to step down from this role is made easier because of the work of so many in the past years, and my trust and faith in the SND Board of Directors and SND community at large to continue with this work.
I thank you all for the opportunity, and trust, to serve an organization that has given me so much in my career.
Best.
Paige K. Connor
SND Interim Executive Director