Shaw Media continues investing in local journalism, announces key editorial leadership hires

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Two former Chicago Tribune editors will join Shaw Media in prime leadership roles for the company’s Northern Illinois news operation.

Diana Wallace, a former senior content editor, and Mark Hume, a former deputy senior content editor, joined Shaw Media on Sept. 11. Wallace took over as editor of The Northwest Herald, and Hume stated as the West Suburban Editor — a new position overseeing a group of Shaw newspapers and websites covering key markets in Northern Illinois.

The hiring of Wallace and Hume are in addition to new leadership moves recently announced at The Herald-News in Joliet and at Sauk Valley Media.

“Diana and Mark are excellent journalists who will bring their vast experiences to improve our current operations and bolster our future efforts to continue striving to make Shaw Media the most trusted local news source in Northern Illinois,” Senior Director of Content Joe Biesk said. “Their hirings are a testament to Shaw Media’s commitment to providing our readers with top-notch journalism on a daily basis.”

Meet the new editors:

Wallace most recently was the editor responsible for coverage out of Chicago City Hall, Chicago Public Schools and Cook County government. Wallace also has extensive experience in suburban Illinois coverage. She previously worked at the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald and then was the Tribune’s suburban bureau chief, responsible for newsrooms covering the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago and, later, the entire suburban region.

Wallace is a graduate of the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois Springfield’s Public Affairs Reporting program.

Hume most recently worked on managing coverage among writers, photographers and editors and has deep roots in providing content to a digital audience through various platforms.

Previously, Hume was the Visual Team Leader at the News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida. He also worked as a photographer at The Herald-Times in Bloomington, Indiana; The Associated Press’ Nicaragua chief bureau photographer; and as a staff photographer at the El Paso Herald-Post.

He is a graduate of Indiana University.

Earlier this summer, Shaw Media also hired Judy Harvey to lead The Herald-News of Joliet, and Charlene Bielema as the editor of its Sauk Valley Media newspapers and websites.

Harvey, who previously worked as The Herald-News’ web editor, came to Shaw after working at Chronicle Media LLC where, among other things, she oversaw local community content for 13 print publications as well as programming the company’s numerous digital and social media sites. She also worked as the chief editor of the former Sun-Times Media group’s suburban digital team overseeing the websites of six daily publications. 

Bielema was hired in August as the new Sauk Valley editor after two decades as the executive editor at the Clinton (Iowa) Herald. During her career, Bielema has been a reporter, editor and an overall newsroom coach directing coverage and setting a tone of collaboration. She’s also worked at the Quad City Times along the way.

About Shaw Media:

Shaw Media is a pioneering news and information company, boasting an extensive news gathering operation in Illinois. With over a century of rich history, Shaw Media has remained steadfast in its commitment to delivering excellence in journalism.

Founded in 1851, Shaw Media is the third oldest continuously owned and operated family newspaper in the United States. The company's dedication to providing quality news has led it to become the nation's 8th-largest newspaper publisher.

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