08-07-2025
The Guardian appoints Nicole Kotzen as senior vice-president for development and executive director of theguardian.org
The Guardian has announced the appointment of Nicole Kotzen as senior vice-president for development and executive director of She joins the Guardian from Friends of the High Line, where she served as the senior director of individual giving and board relations. Kotzen comes to the Guardian with over a dozen years of experience in fundraising and non-profit leadership, with a track record of building impactful partnerships that advance key institutional priorities and growth opportunities. Her background includes work for StoryCorps and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kotzen starts today.
In her SVP role, Kotzen will lead a New York and London-based team that grows foundation and philanthropic support for independent Guardian journalism and global editorial projects. These include award-winning projects such as the Guardian's dedicated and long-running coverage of global development focused on poverty, global health, gender equality, the future of global aid, democracy, human rights, environment, the climate crisis and biodiversity, among other pressing issues. A full list of the Guardian's philanthropically supported projects is here.
Additionally, Kotzen will lead the work of as executive director, and develop and maintain the board of directors. is a non-profit organization with the mission to advance public discourse and citizen participation around the most pressing issues of our time through the support of journalistic projects at the Guardian and independent journalism.
Kotzen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College and is a US Department of State Fulbright fellow.
Nicole Kotzen, senior vice-president for development and executive director of said:
'What we need right now is the truth – told with courage and empathy – that knits together a global perspective on the most pressing issues of our time. As a longtime reader of the Guardian, their fearless, independent journalism has helped me make sense of the world in these complicated times. I look forward to working with the talented team at the Guardian, and the philanthropic community, to ensure that anyone, anywhere in the world can benefit from the Guardian's award-winning reporting, all free of charge.'
Asha Curran, chair, said:
'In a time of rising polarization and declining trust, independent media like the Guardian play a vital role in providing space for truth, nuance, and investigation. Innovation in how we support that role isn't optional – it's essential. I'm so looking forward to working with Nicole as she helps shape what that future can look like.'
Steve Sachs, managing director, the Guardian US, said:
'The global editorial projects funded by the Guardian's philanthropy – touching on poverty, the future of democracy in America, the climate crisis, the safety of drinking water, and more – have never felt more important. And with increasing threats to the news industry, philanthropic funding is an even more critical resource for us and our peers. Nicole has the experience and vision to sustain our existing relationships and find new partners that align with our values and mission: providing world-class journalism without a paywall, free from corporate or political influence. I look forward to working with her.'
About
The is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was set up by the Scott Trust in 2017 to support quality independent journalism about some of the most pressing issues of our time. The organization raises funds from individuals and foundations, and directs them towards projects that advance public discourse and citizen participation on issues such as climate change, human rights, global development and inequality. The Guardian is able to apply for grants from for editorial projects that correspond with the priorities set out by board of directors, and that are aligned with its charitable mission. A number of the Guardian's philanthropic partnerships are via grants to this organization. For more information, visit
About Guardian Media Group
Guardian Media Group is amongst the world's leading media organizations. Its core business is Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of one of the largest English-speaking quality news websites in the world.
In the UK, Guardian Media Group publishes the Guardian newspaper six days a week, first published in 1821. Since launching its US and Australian digital editions in 2011 and 2013, respectively, traffic from outside of the UK now represents around two-thirds of the Guardian's total digital audience. The Guardian also has an international digital edition and a new European edition that launched in 2023, with an expanded network of more than 20 European correspondents, editors and reporters.
Media contact
Matt Mittenthal
Head of Communications
The Guardian US
917-597-4485
