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Star Tribune names Chris Iles and Stephanie Ness to senior leadership posts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Star Tribune names Chris Iles and
Stephanie Ness to senior leadership posts
Star Tribune appoints Chris Iles as Vice President, Brand and Communications and Stephanie Ness as Chief Financial Officer
MINNEAPOLIS – Nov. 16, 2023 – Star Tribune Media Co., Minnesota’s largest media company, today announced the appointments of Chris Iles to Vice President, Brand and Communications and Stephanie Ness to Chief Financial Officer.
Chris Iles brings over 15 years of experience in communications, content, marketing, strategy, and innovation to his new role at the Star Tribune. He previously served in various leadership positions at the Minnesota Twins, where he played a key role in transforming the organization into one of the most innovative brands in sports and entertainment.
Most recently, Iles served as the Twins Senior Director for Brand Experience and Innovation, where he developed the Twins partnership with the Techstars accelerator and various other innovation initiatives. Prior to joining the Twins, Iles worked in corporate communications at HealthPartners and began his career at Padilla, a Minneapolis-based PR firm.
In his new position, Iles will lead the Star Tribune’s efforts to grow its brand, strengthen its communications efforts, and enhance its marketing approach and narrative across the entire organization.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to join the leadership team at the Star Tribune, a Minnesota institution looking to blaze a new and innovative path into the future,” said Iles. “I’m excited for the work ahead and look forward to helping create the leading model for local news in America.”
Stephanie Ness joins Star Tribune from Target Corporation, where she held various finance positions over the past 13 years. Most recently, she led Target’s Finance Transformation efforts and was Chief of Staff serving the Head of Finance Planning & Analysis. She began her career in investment banking and held roles at KPMG and Piper Jaffray.
Ness holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of St. Thomas and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. A native Minnesotan, she grew up in the Twin Cities and currently resides in Minneapolis with her husband and children.
“I’m excited to be joining the Star Tribune in this next chapter of its journey, and honored to be a part of an organization that plays such an important role in our community,” said Ness.
These appointments mark another significant step in the Star Tribune’s effort to fulfill its mission of building a better Minnesota by connecting the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities.
“It’s a win for the Star Tribune and for Minnesota to have these two seasoned, dynamic leaders join our organization at a time of great change,” said Steve Grove, CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune. “Stephanie brings extraordinary leadership and management skills to our team, along with a sharp analytical mind that will help us reimagine our structure and investments to better serve Minnesotans. Chris brings over a decade of leadership experience in brand, communications and innovation – which will serve us well as we transform the Star Tribune to better serve our audience. I can’t wait for them both to get started.”
Ness will join the Star Tribune effective November 27, and Iles will begin on December 4.
About Star Tribune Media Company
Star Tribune Media Company LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Minnesota and the upper Midwest. With the third-largest Sunday and fourth-largest daily circulation metro print newspaper in the U.S., the most-visited local website, a range of home-delivered advertising solutions, and a growing portfolio of events, Star Tribune reaches more consumers than any other Minnesota media brand. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com
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Media contact:
Tim Ikeman
612-673-4073 (office)
612-751-7849 (mobile)
tim.ikeman@startribune.com
