Former New York Times Company CEO named to Rhode Island Foundation’s Board of Directors

PROVIDENCE, RI – Former New York Times Company President and CEO Janet Robinson has been named to the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Foundation.

“We are delighted that Janet is joining us. Her extraordinary background and depth of experience will enable us to continue delivering on our strategic priorities around educational success, healthy lives and economic security,” said Marie Langlois, chair of the Foundation.

As President and CEO of The New York Times Company, Robinson was responsible for all of the company’s business operations, including The New York Times, 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.

She had previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. During her 28-year career, she 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. 

“I have long admired the impressive legacy and the critical mission of the Rhode Island Foundation. The Foundation’s unremitting efforts, focused on critical community support initiatives, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of many Rhode Islanders,” she said. “I am honored to be asked to serve on the Board of Directors and to have the opportunity to work with the directors, staff, philanthropists and advocates to further advance the mission.”

Robinson is the Vice Chairman of The Carnegie Corporation of New York and Chairman Emeritus of The Advertising Council. She serves as a strategic communications consultant on the International Advisory Board of Fleishman Hillard and also serves on the Board of Directors of Steward Partners Holdings LLC.

Locally, Robinson serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Salve Regina University, 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 School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.

Robinson, a resident of Newport, R.I., and New York City, earned a B.A. in English from Salve Regina University and completed the Executive Education Program at Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

She has received honorary doctorate degrees from Salve Regina University, Pace University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Wheaton College. She was named to Forbes’ list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, Fortune’s list of the Most Powerful Women in Business and the Financial Times’ list of the 50 Top Women in World Business.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through leadership, fundraising and grant making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org

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