We are proud to announce that Amy Austin, a leader in alternative media and community-centered arts, is joining our board as the first non-founding member. This milestone marks a significant moment in TNC's evolution, signaling our continued growth and expanding vision for inclusive, civic-minded journalism. 

With a distinguished background spanning journalism, theater, education and local culture-building, Austin brings a unique and powerful blend of experience that aligns with TNC’s mission to support a new generation of local news organizations.

“I am thrilled to join the Tiny News Collective board at an inflection point for the organization,” Austin said. “TNC plans to expand and grow, including news startups with an arts and culture focus, as well as those with an alternative media spirit, which fit so well with my experience. I can’t wait to help the organization as it takes its next step toward strengthening local news in communities around the country.”

Austin has spent decades at the intersection of storytelling, arts and public service, including a 12-year tenure as publisher of the alt-weekly Washington City Paper, and as an adjunct professor in Georgetown University’s Master of Professional Students in Journalism Program, where she taught entrepreneurial journalism. She is currently the president and CEO of Theatre Washington, which nurtures the theater community in Washington, D.C.

Austin’s’s leadership in alternative media — combined with her commitment to fostering local talent — embodies the same values that guide many of our member organizations, such as The SHOUT in Wichita, Austin Vida in Texas and others building meaningful connections between communities and the arts.

“We are so excited to welcome Amy Austin as our first non-founding board member at TNC,” said Amy L. Kovac-Ashley, executive director at Tiny News. “She exemplifies so much of what we do, from entrepreneurial journalism to the arts to supporting local journalism. Her experience dovetails well with the work that we do alongside that of our hard-working news founders.”

Austin’s appointment also reflects the broader vision TNC holds for our board and the collective as a whole. We believe the future of local news isn’t confined to traditional newsroom models. Instead, it thrives at the crossroads of journalism, information access, civic life and cultural expression. 

“Amy Austin is a fantastic addition to our board at TNC,” said Lillian Ruiz, board chair for Tiny News and managing partner at Ci-X Strategies. “Our board members bring a diverse portfolio of skills and non-traditional approaches – across business, community and media organizing, entrepreneurship, product and more – that mirror the dynamic needs of early-stage news founders and the communities they serve.”

We’re delighted to welcome Amy Austin to the Tiny News Collective board and look forward to the insights, creativity and heart she brings. 💖