The Reader Institute for Community Journalism (RICJ), which operates the Chicago Reader, is excited to announce the recent expansion of its leadership team.
From returning to weekly publishing in June and celebrating the Best of Chicago at Lincoln Park Zoo, to announcing our first coffee table book and celebrating 53 years at our third annual UnGala, we’ve been busy! Nevertheless, we are thrilled to announce the growth of our team.
As the Reader remains committed to delivering thoughtful and thorough journalism for all of Chicago, we are excited to embrace expansion as it aligns with our organization’s strategic goals.
Each of these individuals brings extensive experience, expertise and knowledge that will help elevate the Reader’s impact through strengthened philanthropic efforts, innovative product offerings, and strategic operational growth.
“We are thrilled to have each of these dynamic professionals aboard to take our organization to the next level,” says Solomon Lieberman, CEO and Publisher of the Chicago Reader. “We’re at a place in our journey where we’re ready to embrace the advancement of technology, deepen engagement with our communities thoughtfully, and position the Reader as the premier arts and culture publication in the city.”
Brian Boyer (he/him) is the Chicago Reader’s first-ever Chief Product Officer. Boyer led and coached product and membership teams at usually small, usually local, and usually nonprofit newsrooms since 2016. Before then, he was a “proper journalist” and founded and edited the Visuals team at NPR and the News Applications team at Chicago Tribune.
Jim Struthers (he/him) joins the RICJ as Chief Development Officer, leading the philanthropic program to support the Chicago Reader. With more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, Struthers has raised funds for basic human needs, education, disaster relief, and medical research for organizations such as the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Prior to moving exclusively to nonprofit, Struthers worked in marketing, public relations, and the arts, and is excited to be part of this legendary Chicago icon.
Mary Eileen Weber (she/her) is a proud lifelong Chicagoan who resides on the Northside with her husband and two children. Weber’s career has deep roots in Chicago —she spent more than 25 years in media sales and leadership roles, and more than 15 years in digital marketing and transformation. Weber’s passion lies in creativity and connections that helps advertisers and our loyal community. Her goal as Chief Revenue Officer is to develop innovative strategies that align with the Reader’s mission to provide meaningful journalism and cultural coverage to our vibrant city.
Ellen Kaulig (she/her) joins the RICJ as Chief of Staff. Kaulig managed to turn being a nerd in high school (co-founding ComedySportz on campus, working at the local cable access channel, being the stage manager for the campus theater and the co-Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook) into a career that shockingly works really well for the Reader. After a background in film/TV production, the music industry, software development, business development, community organizing and economic development, she is excited to have found a team to support with her “wacky” resume. An avid consumer of art, culture and food, Kaulig can be found hanging with her dogs, making things, sharing experiences throughout Chicago with loved ones, buying too many books and supporting all of the amazing people who build and believe in Chicago.