Herald executive editor named to oversee all large newsrooms for parent company McClatchy

Monica Richardson, executive editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald, has been named vice president of news for large markets for parent company McClatchy.

Richardson will oversee all news operations for McClatchy’s six largest newsrooms, including the Herald.

Kristin Roberts, McClatchy’s chief content officer, made the announcement Wednesday.

In a memo to the company, Roberts said having Richardson in this new role ensures “that we achieve the highest ambitions of local journalism, extend our unmatched record of audience growth and establish our newsrooms as the preeminent local media brands.”

Richardson joined the Miami Herald two years ago, and supervised the Herald’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Surfside condo collapse. As Florida regional editor, she also has overseen the Bradenton Herald newsroom on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“From a Pulitzer Prize to organizing on-the-spot trauma sessions for journalists working the Surfside condo collapse and her focus on innovation and strengthening community engagement efforts, Monica has paired compassion and commitment with experience and skill to become a leader who embodies the best of our profession,” Roberts said in her announcement.

In her new role, Richardson will oversee newsrooms in Florida, Missouri, California, North Carolina and Texas. The senior editors in each of the six large-market newsrooms will report to her.

Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald Managing Editor Alex Mena has been named interim executive editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Mena, who has been with the Herald for more than 25 years, has been involved in nearly every part of newsroom operations, including sports and production.

Roberts said the company will conduct a national search for a new executive editor for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.