Alyson Shontell named new Fortune editor-in-chief

Journalist Alyson Shontell has been tapped to serve as the next top editor of Fortune, the company announced on Tuesday. 

Shontell previously served as co-editor-in-chief of Insider’s business division and will begin in her new role on Oct. 6. 

“Alyson is the perfect person to position Fortune for its second century,” CEO Alan Murray said in a statement announcing Shontell’s hiring. “She has a deep love of great journalism and storytelling. She has overseen award-winning coverage of some of the most important business stories of our time. She is rooted in the tech world, which is the fundamental driver of almost everything happening in business today. And she is a true digital native.” 

Shontell was a member of Insider’s founding team in 2008 and served in a number of roles in that newsroom, including as a technology reporter before taking over as editor-in-chief in 2016. 

“Fortune is the premiere brand in business journalism,” she said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to join this prestigious newsroom and work with the executive team to transform Fortune into a digital powerhouse.”

In her new role, Shontell will oversee the outlet’s daily news coverage as well as its annual and special projects like the Fortune 500 list, yearly Most Powerful Women in Business list and 100 Best Companies to Work For rankings. 

Shontell is the latest in a slew of women who have been tapped for high-profile positions atop major national media companies in recent years, including Sally Buzbee at The Washington Post, Julie Pace at The Associated Press and Nicole Carroll at USA Today. 

Shontell is the first woman to serve as top editor at Fortune. She replaces Clifton Leaf, who stepped down in May.