Lauren Gustus

Originally from the Boston area, Lauren’s journalism career started in Los Angeles following graduation from Pepperdine University.

She worked with fellow MTC coach Robyn Tomlin, 2019 fellow Mackenzie Warren, Charlie Baum and Doug Smith to design and lead the Gannett/McClatchy Table Stakes program, a cross-company collaboration that helped grow a diverse cohort of coaches in the performance-driven change arena.

As a newsroom leader, she encourages development and growth by providing regular and meaningful feedback, story and beat mapping sessions, mentoring and leadership opportunities.

Experience

Lauren previously led year over year growth in unique digital audience at McClatchy's flagship, The Sacramento Bee, as its executive editor/president. She also served as West Region Editor for McClatchy, with responsibility for staffing, budgeting, professional development and news operations across 10 news organizations in Idaho, Washington and California.

Current

Lauren is a strategic news leader who today serves as CEO & Executive Editor of the first major metro news organization to become a nonprofit, The Salt Lake Tribune.

Expertise

As a digital pioneer, her award-winning teams have used a platform-specific approach to growing audience on social media, breaking news and enterprise work. She believes accountability journalism is at the core of what journalists do for local communities and reporting efforts she has steered - from Boise to San Luis Obispo - has driven policy change and made positive impact for individuals.