Jess Awtry

Jess Awtry currently serves as the Vice President of Digital Strategy & Communications at Pew Research Center since June 2025. Prior experience includes the role of Senior Vice President of Audience Development at Newsweek, where audience engagement dramatically increased by 700% in the first year. Previously, as Senior Vice President of Audience at The Hill, Jess trained staff to enhance audience reach and improve journalism quality, achieving a significant rise in monthly visit durations. At Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK, Jess led content strategy across over 100 news organizations and was instrumental in shifting business models towards digital subscriptions. Jess has also held significant editorial positions, including Executive Editor at Fort Collins Coloradoan, where accolades for innovation were received, and Editor at Times-News of Twin Falls, Idaho, where record readership was achieved. Jess's career includes a strong focus on enhancing online audience engagement and developing next-generation journalism practices, supported by a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies and a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Performance from Hastings College.