Jessica Sweeney has joined The Salt Lake Tribune as its new development director.
She will help the organization deepen and expand its relationships with supporters.
Sweeney previously worked for the Ben McAdams team as fundraising director. Prior to working in the political fundraising space, she worked with Visit Salt Lake.
A University of Utah graduate with a degree in strategic communications, Sweeney went on to receive her master’s degree from Gonzaga in organizational leadership. She says any free time she’s not wrangling her toddler is spent hiking with the dog, trying new restaurants or traveling.
“I grew up with my parents reading The Salt Lake Tribune and have continued the tradition,” Sweeney said. “To be able to work for an organization that is so vital for our community and the state I grew up in and love, is an exciting thing. "
The Tribune is the first legacy U.S. newspaper to remake itself as a nonprofit.
It won IRS approval to pursue 501(c)(3) status in fall 2019 after Paul Huntsman, who bought the Salt Lake City-based organization in 2016, gave up sole ownership.
The newspaper converted from being privately held to being supported by the community through subscriptions, advertising and philanthropy.
