Goli Sheikholeslami appointed CEO of Politico Media Group
Axel Springer has today announced that Goli Sheikholeslami has been appointed as the new CEO of Politico Media Group, starting in February.
Politico Media Group is comprised of the media brands Axel Springer acquired in a 2021 eye-catching deal with Robert Allbritton, including Politico and Protocol. In addition, Sheikholeslami will become Chairperson of the Shareholder Advisory Board of Politico Europe, based in Brussels. Her appointment comes following a vigorous national search.
Sheikholeslami currently serves as President and CEO of New York Public Radio. She has vast experience in public and private media, including senior leadership roles at the Washington Post, Chicago Public Media, Conde Nast, and Time Warner. Sheikholeslami also served on the board at NPR from 2016 to 2019 and currently serves on the Board of Patreon, the membership platform for artists and creators.
In her new role as CEO of Politico Media Group, she will work with the team to further strengthen Politico’s unique profile and attract, retain and grow reach through continued investment and innovation in excellent journalism and products.
“We are thrilled to welcome Goli Sheikholeslami as CEO,” stated Jan Bayer, President News Media of Axel Springer.“Goli’s track record is defined by growth, innovation, and a commitment to high-quality journalism. With her vast experience and aspiration, Goli was by far our top choice for the role and will further our vision to build the global news and information leader on politics, policy, and regulation in power centers across the world.”
Goli Sheikholeslami said: “What I admire most about Politico is the tenacity that underpins the organisation’s fearless, fact-based journalism and its successful business model. With this strong foundation, no other media organisation is better positioned for growth, and I look forward to working with such a talented group of journalists and professionals to write Politico and Protocol’s next chapter.”
Sheikholeslami grew up in suburban Washington, D.C., and received her undergraduate degree in international economics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. She also earned an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Sheikholeslami is the daughter of an Iranian diplomat and with her family fled shortly after the country’s 1979 revolution, arriving in the United States as political refugees.
