Carolyn Washburn

Current

• vice president/editor at The Des Moines Register
• various at Gannett

Past

• executive editor at The Idaho Statesman
• managing editor at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
• managing editor at The Idaho Statesman

• reporter covering Eastman Kodak Co., business editor, AME at Rochester Times-Union/Democrat and Chronicle
• reporter covering Oldsmobile, GM at Lansing State Journal

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Education

• Indiana University Bloomington

Recommended

18 people have recommended Carolyn

Connections

295 connections

Industry

Newspapers

Websites

• My Company

Carolyn Washburn’s Summary

I have been a business reporter and an editor at newspapers in the East, Midwest and West. I have been a top editor at a mid-sized newspaper and a metro. I have developed successful digital products for newspaper readers and other audiences. I led newspaper and digital coverage in 2007 of the biggest campaign in the history of the Iowa Caucuses and moderated two debates. I am passionate about public service journalism, digital media, and developing leadership skills for my staff.

Carolyn Washburn’s Specialties:

Leading a blend of watchdog/investigative work, storytelling and community journalism. Developing and maximizing digital media to serve communities. Strategic development of new media products. Developing leadership programs.

Carolyn Washburn’s Experience

• vice president/editor

  The Des Moines Register

  (Public Company; Newspapers industry)

  Currently holds this position

• various

  Gannett

  (Public Company; Newspapers industry)

  1984 — Present (25 years)

• executive editor

  The Idaho Statesman

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Newspapers industry)

  1999 — 2005 (6 years)

• managing editor

  Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

  (Newspapers industry)

  1995 — 1999 (4 years)

• managing editor

  The Idaho Statesman

  (Public Company; 201-500 employees; Newspapers industry)

  1993 — 1995 (2 years)

• reporter covering Eastman Kodak Co., business editor, AME

  Rochester Times-Union/Democrat and Chronicle

  (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Newspapers industry)

  1987 — 1993 (6 years)

• reporter covering Oldsmobile, GM

  Lansing State Journal

  (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Newspapers industry)

  1984 — 1987 (3 years)

Carolyn Washburn’s Education

• Indiana University Bloomington

  1980 — 1984

  internships at the Jacksonville Times-Union, The Arizona Republic

  Activities and Societies:

  reporter and editor, Indiana Daily Student

Additional Information

Carolyn Washburn’s Websites:

• My Company

Carolyn Washburn’s Interests:

In my job: public service journalism, community journalism and storytelling journalism in print and online. I love helping my company transform itself in changing times while reinforcing traditional values of journalism. At The Des Moines Register, I tested and launched one of Gannett's first Information Centers in 2006. My husband, Perry, is a journalist by trade and now a stay-at-home dad who sings in a barbershop quartet, flips houses and is an outstanding cook. I have a son, Daniel (17) and daughters Aida (11) and Madina (9) who are adopted from Kazakhstan. I love to hike and camp. After my Idaho days, I love the West and the mountains. I bake pies. My favorite thing is spending time doing any of those things with my dear friends.

Carolyn Washburn’s Groups:

American Society of Newspaper Editors, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Des Moines diversity events, APME, American Press Institute

•    TalentBar: HR and Recruiter Network
•    The Talent Buzz
•    Newspaper Professionals Network
•    Sunshine Week

Carolyn Washburn’s Honors:

2009: 4th Gannett Presidents Ring, 1st runner up for Editor of the Year.
2008: Gannett Editor of the Year.
Gannett Gold Medals (1995-97, 2002, 2006-08).
2008 Best of Gannett for education, FOI and editorial work.
Des Moines Register was finalist in Online Newspaper Association overall excellence and public service awards (2007).
SABEW recognized Register's Business section as one of the best (2006) and The Idaho Statesman's Business section as one of the best (2004).
The Des Moines Register won Iowa Newspaper Association's General Excellence Award (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
It received Newspaper of the Year from the Iowa Newspaper Association (2005, 2006, 2007).
The Idaho Statesman was one of 9 newspapers to receive the first Wallace Stegner Awards for exemplary coverage of the American West (2003).
The Idaho Statesman won the 1st APME Convergence Award for a project about Rural Idaho (2002).

Carolyn Washburn’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch