Hanold Associates Assists The New York Times Co. in CHRO Search

November 20, 2020 – Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has assisted The New York Times Co. in the recruitment of Jacqueline M. Welch as executive vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO). She will report directly to president and CEO Meredith Kopit Levien and sit on the company’s executive committee as well as lead its talent and inclusion department. Ms. Welch begins her new role on Jan. 11.

“This search, from launch to offer decision, was about six weeks,” said Jason Hanold, CEO and managing director of the search firm. “Jacqui is a unique spirit. She lifts people up, brings them together, is a phenomenal relationship builder, and truly makes all around her better. She is also an experienced and dynamic executive with a track record of success leading human resources work and I’m so pleased she is coming to The Times to assume this critical leadership position,” said Ms. Levien. “Our ability to attract, develop and retain world-class talent, and to create the conditions for our people to do their best work, is paramount to the continued success of our mission and business. Jacqui will be an essential partner to me and the senior leadership team as we continue to transform the company and our culture with operational excellence and diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.”

Ms. Welch joins The Times Co. from Freddie Mac, where she has served as SVP, CHRO and chief diversity officer since 2016. In this role, she has led a team that improved and evolved all aspects of the human resources function, from equitable pay practices, talent acquisition, talent development, organizational development, performance enablement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. She served as an adviser to its board of directors and the executive team. A seasoned corporate executive, Ms. Welch joined Freddie Mac with 20 years of experience in HR strategy and execution. She served as SVP for international HR for Turner Broadcasting System from 2010 to 2013 and was SVP, talent management and diversity, from 2008 to 2010.

Prior to Turner, Ms. Welch worked for organizations such as WestRock (formerly Rock-Tenn Co.), Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) and Willis Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin). She began her career in New York at Lord & Taylor as a merchant.

In her new role with The New York Times, Ms. Welch will be a critical member of the leadership team, partnering with the CEO, publisher, executive editor, CFO, general counsel and others in driving the business forward, said Hanold Associates. She will oversee the human resources function, developing a robust people strategy and capabilities that advance the company’s strategy. Ms. Welch’s function will have an elevated focus on talent acquisition, development and retention in an environment of continual change and heightened employee expectations and will play a leading role in the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Indispensable Institution with a Vital Mission

“The New York Times is an indispensable institution with a vital mission,” said Ms. Welch. “It is my personal and professional privilege to join at such a compelling and transformative time. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the stewardship of our mission, the cultivation of our culture and finding and keeping the best available talent in the business.”

Related: Hanold Associates Tapped by TB12 to Recruit New Board Directors

The New York Times is home to many of the biggest and properties in media: The Daily, Serial Productions, NYT Cooking, NYT Games, Wirecutter and the digital report and print newspaper. The Times serves an audience reaching 130 million people around the world each month. It has more than 6.5 million subscriptions — with 5.7 million being digital. The New York Times Co. is a publicly traded company (NYSE: NYT). It currently has 4,500 employees, approximately 1,700 of whom work in the newsroom.


Arizona Cardinals Retain Hanold Associates for Chief People Officer Search
The Arizona Cardinals have retained Hanold Associates for its chief people officer search. This executive will oversee all HR operations throughout the organization, establishing and delivering a strategy that creates a world-class environment. Reporting directly to the team owner and president, Michael Bidwill, this leader will provide an essential perspective on the people aspects of the business and contribute to the overall strategy of the organization.


Hanold Associates is a boutique executive search firm focused on HR and diversity and inclusion officers. Its client list is diverse across industries, geographies and business scenarios, and culture is at the core of everything the firm does. Its clients include the National Football League, Zoom, Domino’s Pizza, Under Armour, Patagonia, Gucci, The New York Times, Tom Brady’s TB12, Kohler, REI, Live Nation Entertainment, Dick’s Sporting Goods, McDonald’s, Major League Baseball, Kellogg, Apollo, Big Ten Conference, Blackstone, TPG, L Catterton, Northwestern University, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Electronic Arts, Fiat-Chrysler, SC Johnson, eBay, Moderna, Hillrom, Great Place To Work, Fossil, Vail Resorts, AbbVie, Carnival Corp., Biogen, Allstate, Bridgestone, Wikimedia, ClubCorp, Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Ford Motor Co., among others.

Working With Clients During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting executive search assignment in many ways. “The entire process is accelerated upon an assignment launch, as prospective candidates can more easily have an exploratory conversation during the day,” said Mr. Hanold. “Without having to find a quiet place to talk within an office or shared conference room, and more recently, organizations have been more comfortable making assessment and hiring decisions over Zoom or Teams, with a final socially-distanced meeting conducted upon offer presentation or final rounds.”

“We have had successful candidates meeting at the homes of CEOs, usually outdoors on back patios, and this unorthodox process creates an accelerating bonding in that we are all in this together,” Mr. Hanold said.

Related: Hanold Associates Recruits Chief People and Culture Officer for Major League Baseball

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

Share This Article

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments