MARCIA PARKER
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at The New York Times, driving multimillion-dollar philanthropic initiatives and fostering strategic partnerships. Expert in editorial leadership and business model innovation, I excel in advocacy for journalism funding while building cohesive teams to enhance organizational impact.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships
NEW YORK TIMES
06.2022 - Current
- Lead team to collaborate with newsroom leaders, identifying initiatives enhancing journalism supported by philanthropic funding.
- Oversee multimillion-dollar philanthropic portfolio, including Headway journalism initiative and various fellowships.
- Serve on boards of The New York Times Communities Fund and Journalism Education Refugees Fund to support exiled journalists.
- Team member, The Times Campaign for Journalism, benefiting CPJ, AJP, and Borealis Racial Equity in Journalism Fund.
Publisher & Chief Operating Officer
CALMATTERS
02.2017 - 06.2022
- Hired and led a revenue team that secured millions from leading state and national foundations for CalMatters, one of the most successful nonprofit newsrooms in the country.
- Increased revenue by over 300% to more than $30 million within five years through major donors and corporations.
- Established strategic partnerships to enhance fundraising capabilities and broaden organizational impact.
Adjunct lecturer, Media Innovation
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS
01.2017 - 03.2019
- Designed and taught a course on startup culture and workplace issues for business, journalism, engineering, and computer science students.
- Cultivated partnership with flagship Runway accelerator in San Francisco to facilitate student internships and project development.
Executive Director of Content & User Engagement
INFORMA (Was PENTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP)
06.2014 - 02.2017
- Developed and implemented new vision and strategy for 21 profitable news sites, forums, and newsletters reaching over 9 million technology professionals.
- Managed team of journalists and content marketing specialists to produce high-quality content.
- Launched and directed successful content marketing and Tech eLearning businesses.
- Participated in the Content Council and Tech Senior Leadership Team to drive strategic initiatives.
Director of Editorial Programming & Audience Development
STATE
10.2013 - 05.2014
- Led editorial operations for State, a venture capital-backed opinion network in London.
- Developed best practices for news, social media, and e-newsletter curation for mobile and web.
- Hired and directed programming and curation teams to enhance content quality.
- Generated global marketing campaigns, including successful Apple app launch support.
- Recruited nonprofit organizations, journalists, and brand partners for collaborative take-action campaigns.
West Coast Editorial Director
AOL/Patch Media Corporation
11.2009 - 05.2013
- Pioneered editorial strategies for largest network of 900+ community news websites in U.S.
- Managed $13 million budget while executing business initiatives at zone level.
- Recruited over 250 editors, launching more than 200 sites across multiple states.
- Led a team of 20 senior and local editors, achieving traffic 25% above target.
- Co-managed P&L with advertising director, ensuring consistent under-budget performance and 110% YOY revenue growth.
- Implemented audience engagement initiatives and launched new products like Patch Latino and Patch Military.
- Developed mobile app with mobile-first team, enhancing user experience across platforms.
- Executed social media strategies, attracting over 144,000 fans and 400+ active bloggers.
Independent consultant
Digital Media Consulting
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Specialized in digital media strategy and training for diverse clients.
- Developed impactful strategies for AllVoices.com, Knight Digital Media Center, and Allbusiness.com.
- Delivered comprehensive training sessions to teams at My.TV, Yahoo!, Newhouse Newspapers, and ICFJ Centers for Independent Journalism.
California Watch Launch Manager
Center for Investigative Reporting
Berkeley, USA
02.2009 - 12.2009
- Oversaw launch of California Watch investigative reporting operation in collaboration with Robert Rosenthal.
- Recruited and hired editorial staff, web designers, and consultants to form a skilled team.
- Identified and managed technology and media partners to ensure successful project delivery.
- Directed product requirements through RFPs, development, design, and website launch.
- Showcased multimedia journalism and audience engagement on California issues via new site.
- Collaborated with advisory group to establish initial revenue model for California Watch initiative.
- Co-led reporting team with USC’s Annenberg School, strengthening educational collaboration.
- Produced multimedia series, Hunger in the Golden State, distributed across multiple California news outlets.
Deputy General Manager
Globe7 Americas
San Francisco, USA
05.2008 - 02.2009
- Established U.S. advertising and business development offices, delivering editorial and advertising solutions for Asian market entry, reaching nearly 40 million users.
- Recruited and managed teams to execute business development strategies and brand awareness campaigns for Globe7’s Ziddu, BharatStudent.com, Longhaier.com, and Egglad.com.
- Formed strategic partnerships with Asian media leaders such as Sina.com, Bangkok Post, and MediaCorp to enhance web traffic.
- Collaborated with engineering and design teams across India, Hong Kong, and Beijing to innovate online features.
Founding Editor
Tri Valley Magazine
Pleasanton, USA
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Developed editorial launch strategy and oversaw editorial operations for 40,000 circulation East Bay lifestyle magazine.
Assistant Dean, Development Director, Director of Bloomberg Business Reporting Program; Lecturer
UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Berkeley, USA
08.2002 - 05.2008
- Oversaw daily operations under Dean Orville Schell, managing fundraising and public events.
- Executed outreach campaign, generating over $10 million from foundations and private donors.
- Directed Bloomberg Business Reporting Program, teaching courses and organizing conferences with industry leaders.
- Collaborated with five top journalism schools as project administrator for News21 on innovative reporting.
- Contributed to UC Berkeley Fundraising Council to advance strategic fundraising initiatives.
- Partnered with Knight Digital Media Center to evaluate newsroom needs and design effective training programs.
- Oversaw high-profile event series featuring leaders from business, media, and government, drawing sell-out crowds.
Founding Editor
Nirvana Woman magazine
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Developed comprehensive editorial blueprint and directed operations for new national fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine and website targeting South Asian women distributed through Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Hudson News.
Director of Programming, Small Business
AOL
San Francisco, USA
06.2000 - 08.2002
- Hired and managed team to create editorial content plan for small business channel and website.
- Negotiated strategic partnerships with industry leaders to identify product opportunities.
- Established vertical communities with partners to improve collaboration and engagement.
- Developed e-newsletters while ensuring adherence to quality standards.
Managing Editor, Assistant ME
Quicken.com
Mountain View, USA
03.1999 - 06.2000
- Directed editorial team at Intuit's esteemed personal finance and small business website; managed staff, freelancers, and partnerships.
Co-taught core reporting class with Prof. Melvin Mencher
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
New York, USA
- Co-instructed essential reporting and writing course alongside professor Mel Mencher at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
- Co-taught investigative reporting course with Robert Porterfield at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism
Education
Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program -
Columbia University
New York, NY01.2020
Executive Education Program, Exponential Fundraising -
Harvard University, Kennedy School
Cambridge, MA01.2018
Stanford Publishing Course - Publishing
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA08.2004
Masster’s Degree -
The Fletcher School of International Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University
Medford, Mass.01.1986
BA - Journalism, Political Science
Indiana University
Bloomington01.1976
Skills
- Strategic revenue and partnerships
- Philanthropic support development
- Advocacy for journalism funding
- Editorial leadership
- Executive governance
- Organizational and analytical skills
- Communication and team building
- Business model innovation
Affiliations
- Board Chair, the Institute for Nonprofit News, representing more than 520 mission-driven news organizations.
- Advisory Board Member, and Mentor, The Emma Bowen Foundation.
- John. S. Knight Fellowships for Professional Journalists, Stanford University, Selection Committee member.
- Advisor to The Journalism Refugees Education Fund.
- Member of the Online News Association, Investigative Reporters & Editors, and The Communications Network for philanthropy professionals.
Websites
Awards
- New York Times Publisher’s Award, 2023, to the team that set up created the nonprofit Journalism Refugees Education Fund.
- Distinguished Alumni Award, 2023, Indiana University Media School.
- The California Press Foundation Jack Bates award, 2017, for distinguished service to the California Press.
Timeline
Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships
NEW YORK TIMES
06.2022 - Current
Publisher & Chief Operating Officer
CALMATTERS
02.2017 - 06.2022
Adjunct lecturer, Media Innovation
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS
01.2017 - 03.2019
Executive Director of Content & User Engagement
INFORMA (Was PENTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP)
06.2014 - 02.2017
Director of Editorial Programming & Audience Development
STATE
10.2013 - 05.2014
West Coast Editorial Director
AOL/Patch Media Corporation
11.2009 - 05.2013
California Watch Launch Manager
Center for Investigative Reporting
02.2009 - 12.2009
Deputy General Manager
Globe7 Americas
05.2008 - 02.2009
Independent consultant
Digital Media Consulting
01.2008 - 01.2013
Founding Editor
Nirvana Woman magazine
01.2005 - 01.2006
Founding Editor
Tri Valley Magazine
01.2004 - 01.2009
Assistant Dean, Development Director, Director of Bloomberg Business Reporting Program; Lecturer
UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
08.2002 - 05.2008
Director of Programming, Small Business
AOL
06.2000 - 08.2002
Managing Editor, Assistant ME
Quicken.com
03.1999 - 06.2000
Co-taught core reporting class with Prof. Melvin Mencher
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program -
Columbia University
Executive Education Program, Exponential Fundraising -
Harvard University, Kennedy School
Stanford Publishing Course - Publishing
Stanford University
Masster’s Degree -
The Fletcher School of International Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University
BA - Journalism, Political Science
Indiana University