Jean Hodges
About Jean Hodges
Jean Hodges serves as the Senior Director of New Culture & Communication at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK, where she has worked since 2020. With a strong background in journalism and content management, she emphasizes the role of journalism in democracy and advocates for innovative storytelling methods.
Work at Gannett
Jean Hodges has been serving as the Senior Director of New Culture & Communication at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK since 2020. In this role, she focuses on fostering a new culture within the organization and enhancing communication strategies. Additionally, she has held the position of Senior Director of Local News since 2019, where she oversees local news initiatives in Chicago, Illinois. Her work emphasizes the importance of journalism in democracy and aims to inspire journalists to adapt to industry changes.
Previous Experience
Before joining Gannett, Jean Hodges worked at GateHouse Media for nine years, where she held the position of Senior Director of Content for the News & Interactive Division from 2010 to 2019. Prior to that, she served as the National Editor at GateHouse Media from 2007 to 2010. Her career in journalism began at Daily Southtown, where she worked as the Assistant Managing Editor for News from 1998 to 2007. This extensive experience in various editorial roles has shaped her approach to news and communication.
Education and Expertise
Jean Hodges studied at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy. She furthered her education at the Knight Digital Media Center at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed a Fellowship in Multimedia Seminar in 2011. This combination of academic background and practical experience equips her with the skills to advocate for innovative storytelling in journalism.
Advocacy in Journalism
Jean Hodges emphasizes the role of journalism in enhancing democracy. She advocates for the use of new tools and platforms to improve storytelling and connect with audiences. Her focus is on delivering content that not only informs but also engages readers on an emotional level and provides solutions to issues. She aims to inspire journalists to embrace changes in the industry, ensuring that journalism remains relevant and impactful.