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Ellen McGirt

Senior Editor at Fortune Magazine, editorial director Fortune Connect

Ellen McGirt is an award-winning business journalist, author, podcaster, speaker, and community builder.789 Since October 2023, she has been the editor-in-chief of Design Observer, an independent media company that aims to broaden the definition of design to improve the world.6789

McGirt was previously a senior editor at Fortune magazine, where in 2016, she established the race and culture beat.135 She founded Fortune's "RaceAhead," a column on race, culture, and leadership in corporate life, which has received a New York Press Club Award, a National Headliner Award, and the Steven Heller Prize for Commentary from the AIGA.234 She is also the co-chair of Fortune’s CEO Initiative and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, and the co-host of Fortune’s Leadership Next podcast.13 Additionally, McGirt is the editorial director of Fortune Connect, a membership community of mid-career executives.145

Before her time at Fortune, McGirt wrote for Money, Time, and Fast Company, where she contributed to more than 20 cover stories and created the digital series “The 30 Second MBA”.123 McGirt's reporting has taken her to the C-suites of companies like Facebook, Nike, Twitter, Intel, Xerox, and Cisco, as well as on the campaign trail with Barack Obama and across Africa with Bono.123 In 2016, she was the editor for “Your First Leadership Job,” a book published by Wiley.13 In addition to her work in journalism, McGirt launched Sweet Equity Media, an independent, virtual newsroom that produces journalism to foster a deeper understanding of the roots of inequity on a local and national level.5

McGirt attended Brown University and is originally from New York City.123 She currently lives in the Midwest with her family and enjoys fly-fishing.123

Highlights

Nov 19 · twitter

Honestly, one of the best conversations I’ve had in ages. Stay tuned for part two…

Mar 19 · twitter

Well look at this, we’re number one @SceneOnRadio! Yay team!

Ellen McGirt - Speaker - Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Ellen McGirt | Speaking Fee | Booking Agent - All American Speakers
Feb 1 · mvcdosummit.com
Ellen McGirt - Martha's Vineyard CDO Summit
Jun 9 · fortune.com
Ellen McGirt | Fortune
Ellen McGirt | Fortune
Ellen McGirt - Speaker - CA Conference for Women
Ellen McGirt - Speaker - CA Conference for Women
May 25 · Fortune
Sustainable design should start with the chili-stained shirt you throw away, says Levi product head Paul Dillinger - Fortune
Mar 25 · Fortune
The miseducation of A.I.: Systems trained using the internet can develop gender, race, and age bias, new study finds - Fortune
Jul 3 · aspenideas.org
Senior Editor and Columnist, Fortune; Founder, Sweet Equity Media
Profile: Ellen McGirt: : Design Observer

Related Questions

What inspired Ellen McGirt to establish the race and culture beat at Fortune?
How has Ellen McGirt's column "RaceAhead" impacted corporate culture discussions?
What are some notable stories Ellen McGirt has covered in her career?
How does Ellen McGirt's work at Fortune Connect reflect her editorial focus?
What are some key themes explored in the "Leadership Next" podcast co-hosted by Ellen McGirt?
Ellen McGirt
Ellen McGirt, photo 1
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Location

New York, New York, United States