Elizabeth Spayd is the new public editor of the New York Times, publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. announced Wednesday morning.
Spayd is replacing Margaret Sullivan, who recently left for a position at the Washington Post, and starts this summer. She comes to the paper from the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR), where she has served as editor and publisher since 2014.
“Liz is an exceptionally accomplished journalist. Her work at CJR along with her long and successful history at the Washington Post have given her a broad range of experiences that will serve us well as she assumes this critical position serving as a reliable and engaged representative of our readers,” Sulzberger said.
Sullivan sent a message to her replacement on Twitter: “Best of luck as next NYT public editor. Hang tough and bring your body armor.”
Spayd will be The Times’s sixth public editor. She will work outside of the reporting and editing structure of the newsroom and report directly to Sulzberger.
“Liz is also a digital pioneer and I fully expect that she will continue to extend the reach and influence of the role of public editor by engaging in a continuing conversation about Times journalism with all interested parties, wherever we might find them,” Sulzberger said
Spayd played a large role in transitioning CJR from a print-centric bi-monthly magazine to a digital-first publication
Spayd spent the largest part of her career at the Washington Post in a variety of reporting and editing positions. In 2006, she became the managing editor for the Post’s digital operations and was named the paper’s managing editor in 2008.
Spayd began her career in small local newspapers before joining The Detroit News as business editor in 1984. Her first position at the Washington Post was assistant business editor in 1988.
She is a graduate of Colorado State University and holds a B.A. in Journalism.