Announced by Board Chair Doug Ulman:

CEO Rita McNeil Danish, who helped lead Signal Ohio through three extraordinary years of growth, has decided to step down, announcing that she will stay on as CEO through Jan. 17, the same date she started three years ago, and will continue as a consultant through the spring to assist with the launch of Signal Cincinnati. 

The Signal Ohio Board has named a transition committee and will work with Columbus- based executive search firm BeecherHill to find our next CEO. 

The transition marks an evolution in Signal Ohio’s transition from an early stage startup to its next chapter of growth.  Under Ms. McNeil Danish’s leadership the organization, which began with Signal Cleveland, added Signal Akron and Signal Statewide with Signal Cincinnati soon to follow. These newsrooms are among the most trusted sources of fact-based coverage in Ohio. We also have engaged over 1,000 Documenters – neighbors who are trained and paid to cover public meetings in Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus, and who work with reporters to bring more community perspectives into our journalism.

Signal Ohio journalism has changed policies and changed lives, through the innovative approach to public service that centers the people who are most impacted by the issues we cover. Our newsletters reach over 65,000 Ohioans and hundreds of thousands of people get news on our websites. 

Sustaining strong journalism requires strong local support. Through Ms. McNeil Danish’s guidance and efforts, millions of dollars have been raised through a diverse mix of new and renewed grants, major gifts, grassroots donations, and advertising revenue, that has made our strong journalism possible.

As we embark on a search for our next leader, we do so from a position of strength and with an ongoing commitment to prove that local journalism, when rooted in fairness, community, and trust, will thrive in Ohio and help renew democracy.

As Ms. McNeil Danish shared with us: “The work we’ve accomplished together has been among the most meaningful of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and this is the right moment—for both me and for Signal Ohio—to prepare for its next chapter of leadership.”

For any questions about this announcement please email press@signalohio.org.