The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening local journalism in Delaware, announced today that Allison Taylor Levine has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Levine, who founded LJI in 2021, will serve as the organization’s first CEO.

Levine started her career as a reporter at several

newspapers, including The News Journal/DelawareOnline. She has spent the past 20 years in various communications and community leadership roles in Delaware. She is currently vice president for marketing and communications at the Delaware Community Foundation.

When Levine assumes the CEO role in January 2024, she will manage the day-to-day operations of LJI and provide leadership in the development and execution of LJI’s strategic plan and objectives, including the launch of Spotlight Delaware, a new collaborative nonprofit newsroom. 

“I love democracy, community and Delaware,” Levine said. “I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to lead LJI and work with our partners to build a great local news and information ecosystem that serves all people here in the First State.” 

To date, LJI operates an internship program that aims to deepen the pipeline of local reporters from underrepresented communities and leads the Delaware Journalism Collaborative, a group of 19 local newsrooms and partners reporting and engaging the community on issues of polarization. Levine also led efforts to conduct an assessment of Delaware’s local news and information ecosystem, which has helped shape the mission of Spotlight Delaware, which will debut in the New Year. 

“Allison has shown a steadfast commitment to democracy and expanding access to information for all Delawareans through reinvigorating journalism in the First State,” said LJI Board Chair Amy Cherry.

“She’s the perfect choice to serve as LJI’s first Chief Executive Officer and brings extensive marketing and business development experience in the nonprofit sector,” Cherry said. “Allison has a proven track record in fundraising and developing strategic partnerships that will help LJI flourish as we embark on exciting times in the organization’s expansion and prepare to launch Spotlight Delaware, the state’s first collaborative, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering public policy, in early 2024.”

To learn more about LJI or apply for current open positions, please visit ljidelaware.org. Contact Allison directly at allison@ljidelaware.org.

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ABOUT THE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE (LJI)

LJI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to strengthen local journalism as a vehicle for a stronger democracy and thriving communities throughout the First State. Learn more at ljidelaware.org.