The Chicago Reader has announced a change in its top leadership. The single role of CEO and publisher, held by Solomon Lieberman since February 2023, is now divided into two. Amber Nettles, current associate publisher, will ascend to the role of publisher on Jan. 1.
Per the Reader's press release, "The decision to separate the CEO and publisher roles, initiated by Lieberman and approved by the board, reflects the organization’s positive growth and the need for dedicated leadership in each role."
Lieberman joined the Reader in February 2023 after an extensive search to replace Tracy Baim, who had been publisher of the Reader since leaving the Chicago Sun-Times ownership in 2017. Nettles joined the Reader in July of 2020 and has held multiple roles at the organization since her hire. She previously worked for the Chicago Tribune and Audacy.
In other recent news:
The Reader Institute for Community Journalism (RICJ), which operates the Chicago Reader, announced an expansion of its leadership team.
Brian Boyer is the Chicago Reader’s first-ever chief product officer. Boyer led and coached product and membership teams at usually small, usually local, and usually nonprofit newsrooms since 2016. Before then, he was a “proper journalist” and founded and edited the Visuals team at NPR and the News Applications team at Chicago Tribune.
Jim Struthers joins the RICJ as chief development officer, leading the philanthropic program to support the Chicago Reader. With more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, Struthers has raised funds for basic human needs, education, disaster relief and medical research for organizations such as the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Foundation Fighting Blindness and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Prior to moving exclusively to nonprofit, Struthers worked in marketing, public relations and the arts, and is excited to be part of this legendary Chicago icon.
Mary Eileen Weber is a proud lifelong Chicagoan who resides on the Northside with her husband and two children. Weber’s career has deep roots in Chicago —she spent more than 25 years in media sales and leadership roles, and more than 15 years in digital marketing and transformation. Weber’s passion lies in creativity and connections that helps advertisers and our loyal community. Her goal as chief revenue officer is to develop innovative strategies that align with the Reader’s mission to provide meaningful journalism and cultural coverage to our vibrant city.
Ellen Kaulig joins the RICJ as chief of staff. Kaulig managed to turn being a nerd in high school (co-founding ComedySportz on campus, working at the local cable access channel, being the stage manager for the campus theater and the co-editor-in-chief of the yearbook) into a career that shockingly works really well for the Reader. After a background in film/TV production, the music industry, software development, business development, community organizing and economic development, she is excited to have found a team to support with her “wacky” resume. An avid consumer of art, culture and food, Kaulig can be found hanging with her dogs, making things, sharing experiences throughout Chicago with loved ones, buying too many books and supporting all of the amazing people who build and believe in Chicago.
The Reader Institute for Community Journalism also announced four additional staff hires: Tatiana Perez, Lindley French, Shira Friedman-Parks and Lindsay Figurski.
Tatiana Perez has accepted the role of data associate in the Reader’s Development department. She graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Morton College and has dabbled in multiple work areas, primarily operations and customer service. Perez enjoys using her behind-the-scenes skills for companies and organizations to ensure things run smoothly in the forefront. In her spare time, you can find her hanging out at a Chicago Park or snuggling up with her cat, Theo.
Lindley French joins the Reader as an operations associate. She previously worked in operations and compliance at a Chicago-based law firm. French also served as acting scheduler for Governor JB Pritzker during his transition, and was deputy director of operations for his successful gubernatorial campaign. Before joining the JB for Governor campaign, she served as the Midwest finance associate for Hillary for America in 2016. French is pursuing an MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Shira Friedman-Parks joins the Reader as a graphic designer and photo researcher. Friedman-Parks is a Chicago local, previous Reader intern, Oberlin College graduate, Avondale resident, cat-haver, and bookstore enthusiast.
Lindsay Figurski joined the Chicago Reader as a senior sales representative earlier this year. With a rich portfolio of nearly two decades of experience in advertising sales, Figurski previously worked at media organizations such as iHeartMedia, Groupon, Chicago Tribune and Audacy.Her journey reflects a passion for connecting brands with audiences, leveraging her expertise to drive impactful campaigns and foster lasting partnerships. Aside from growing her sales career, Figurski’s true passion is fashion, with Jacquemus, Isabel Marant and The Attico at the top of her list.
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