The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced that Alberto Ibargüen is stepping down as president after 18 years. His resignation will be effective upon the appointment of a successor.

Ibargüen, former publisher of the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, has led the $2.5 billion philanthropy since 2005 and overseen the disbursement of grants totaling $2.3 billion. He joined the foundation at a pivotal time for journalism, as social media platforms and emerging technologies were simultaneously altering established news business models and retooling the dissemination of information. While the majority of the foundation’s funding had traditionally focused on 26 cities that were home to Knight Newspapers and, later, Knight Ridder newspapers, in 2019 the foundation announced a $300 million investment over five years in organizations committed to serving communities at the local level by building sustainable, digital news business models, strengthening investigative reporting, protecting press freedom, promoting news literacy and connecting with audiences through civic engagement and technology.

“He has been visionary,” said Knight Foundation board chair Francisco L. Borges. “Digital transformation has pushed us to find new ways to sustain our democracy, and Alberto has provided us with the insights to do just that.”

“We are social investors and require a return in the form of impact and outcomes in community, that through informed and engaged communities, lead to a more perfect democracy,” Ibargüen said in a meeting with Knight Foundation staff. “We believe in free speech, engaged communities in all their diversity, and in equity and inclusion. Operationally, we do not run programs but instead support programs and ideas by people and organizations that actually get things done. Nothing is more satisfying than to be able to support brilliant insights and innovation by capable people and say, ‘I never imagined that but it’s exactly what I had in mind.’”

(Photo credit: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation via Flickr)