Overview:
Two accomplished industry executives will direct the strategy and consulting practice expansion in its support of the American Journalism Project portfolio.
Cary, NC – BlueLena is pleased to announce two key hires to its strategy and consulting practice as part of an expansion in its support of a network of nonprofit news organizations within the American Journalism Project’s portfolio.
Dustin Block, formerly of Blue Engine Collaborative and Graham Media Group has joined in the role of Director, Portfolio Growth where he will lead the development, experimentation and execution of growth strategies on behalf of community, statewide and national news organizations. In addition, Judi Kamien, formerly of the Springfield Daily Citizen, has been elevated to the role of Director, Publisher Success, where she will lead the strategy plan development, publisher roadmaps and tactical execution in support of organizational goals.
Dustin and Judi together will give dedicated focus to the specific needs of growing organizations and drive experimentation across these publications to develop insights that can be shared broadly with the local journalism field. They begin in their new roles on Tuesday, January 21.
Daniel Williams, CEO and co-founder: “We are thrilled to welcome both Dustin and Judi to the BlueLena team. Both of them bring a long, impressive track record of success and years of hands-on experience in organizational strategy development, business model transformation and innovation. They are highly respected in the journalism field, and we could not be more excited to have them lead the growth and long-term sustainability of a growing network of nonprofit news organizations through our partnership with the American Journalism Project.
Most recently, Dustin served as an audience development coach with Blue Engine Collaborative, where he assisted local newsrooms with building sustainable growth strategies, including support for Newspack’s Revenue Development Program. A highly accomplished media executive, Dustin has been on the forefront of technology innovation and business model transformation throughout his 25-year career. In 2021 he was named content and audience innovator of the year by Local Media Association for his pioneering approach to digital content production for nonlinear platforms, as well as driving new content and revenue opportunities.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.S., Journalism), Dustin began his career as a reporter for Sun Prairie (WI) News. He resides in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, with his wife and children.
Judi Kamien has a distinguished 30-year career in organizational development and fundraising. Before joining the strategic consulting practice at BlueLena, she served as founding Chief Development Officer for the Springfield (MO) Daily Citizen, a nonprofit, independent, member-supported news organization founded in 2022. Judi spent 10 years consulting for nonprofits across North America, working with leadership on projects from organizational restructuring to programmatic launches to fast-track capital development. She has also held senior leadership positions at some of New York City’s most forward-thinking cultural institutions, including the Museum of Arts and Design, Symphony Space and the Museum of Biblical Art.
A graduate of Yale University (B.A., Film, Cinema and Video Studies), Judi resides in Springfield, Missouri with her husband.
About BlueLena:
BlueLena was founded by an experienced team of publishers, journalists and newsmedia marketing executives to create a sustainable future for independent local media. We do so by deploying world class technology, and delivering the strategic expertise and professional services to build and support subscription, membership and donation models for long-term success.
Since our founding in early 2020, we have quickly grown to support leading community-based media brands across the United States and internationally.
Our 250+ member publishing consortium represents a diverse mix of non-profit and for profit newsrooms, digital and print publications, as well as established and new media brands. Our clients represent membership with LION Publishers (LION), the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN), the Local Media Association (LMA), the National Newspaper Publisher Association aka “The Black Press of America” (NNPA), and the National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP).
BlueLena is founder-funded and backed by investment from Automattic, Local Media Association and Old Town Media, a New York-based firm whose projects included support of the American Journalism Project, The Colorado Sun, Block Club Chicago and Chalkbeat.