SABEW names interim executive director

Renee McGivern, a consultant with extensive experience leading news associations, has been appointed interim executive director of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, effective July 1.

McGivern spent nearly two decades as head of the Minnesota Newspaper Foundation and served as interim executive director at the National Scholastic Press Association.

She currently is president of Spark Plug Consulting in Woodbury, Minn., which specializes in communication strategy and website project management for trade associations and other clients.

McGivern will serve as interim director while SABEW conducts a national search for a permanent executive director.

“I’m delighted to bring Renee on board to help run SABEW during this period of transition,” said Marty Wolk, SABEW president and managing editor of MSN Money, in a statement. “With her deep background in association management, communications, training and conference planning, I’m confident she will be an excellent steward of the organization.”

“SABEW members are exceptional professionals,” said McGivern in a statement. “I’m honored by this opportunity to be of service to and reconnect with passionate journalists.”