PROVIDENCE – Janet Robinson, former president and CEO of The New York Times Co., was named to the Rhode Island Foundation board of directors in January, the foundation announced.
In a statement, Robinson said she has “long admired the impressive legacy and the critical mission of the Rhode Island Foundation.”
She noted the foundation’s “unremitting efforts, focused on critical community support initiatives” for its “outstanding contributions” to the community.
Marie Langlois, foundation chair, said she was “delighted” by the appointment.
In prepared remarks, she said Robinson’s “extraordinary background and depth of experience will enable us to continue delivering on our strategic priorities around educational success, healthy lives and economic security.”
During her tenure with The New York Times Co., Robinson spearheaded the efforts that nationalized and internationalized The New York Times, transitioned the company’s print newspaper holdings to multimedia platform operations and launched one of the publishing industry’s most successful pay models for news and information websites.
She also managed all of the paper’s business interactions, including those pertaining to The International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 regional newspapers and all corresponding digital properties, radio and television stations, digital acquisitions, distribution operations and newsprint manufacturing holdings.
Robinson also serves as vice chairman of The Carnegie Corporation of New York, chairman emeritus of The Advertising Council, a strategic communications consultant on the International Advisory Board of FleishmanHillard and on the board of directors of Steward Partners Holdings LLC.
A resident of New York City and Newport, Robinson is an alumna of Salve Regina University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English and now serves as chairman of the board of trustees. She also serves as vice chairman of Rhode Island Public Radio and assistant treasurer of The Preservation Society of Newport County. She also serves on the board of directors of Bank Newport/OceanPoint Financial Partners MHC and on the advisory board of the School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
