ELLEN LEVINE Editorial Consultant, Hearst Magazines

Ellen Levine became an editorial consultant to Hearst in January 2017, working across corporate divisions, from newspapers to television to entertainment, to develop new projects and foster ideas and collaboration.

From 2006 to 2016, Levine was editorial director of Hearst Magazines. She was responsible for strengthening current titles, developing new titles domestically and internationally and evaluating opportunities for brand extensions, books and digital alternatives.

Levine made publishing history in October 1994 as the first woman to be named editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping since the magazine was founded in 1885. During her tenure, she was instrumental in launching new titles at Hearst Magazines, including O, The Oprah Magazine in 1999, the most successful magazine launch ever, and Food Network Magazine in 2008. During Levine’s role as editor-in-chief at Good Housekeeping, the publication received a National Magazine Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) in 1999 and was nominated for a National Magazine Award in general excellence in 2005. The magazine has also received many industry accolades, including Adweek’s Hit List in 2005, Big List in 2003 and Hot List as one of the top 10 magazines in 2002. In January 2004, ASME and the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) inducted Levine into the Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame.

Before her appointment to the top post at the flagship publication of Hearst Magazines, Levine served as editor-in- chief of two other major women’s magazines, Redbook (1990 to 1994) and Woman’s Day (1982 to 1990), and as a senior editor of Cosmopolitan (1976 to 1982).

Throughout her career, Levine has been cited by many organizations. In 2005, she received the Wellesley College Alumnae Achievement Award. This award is the highest honor given to alumnae for excellence and distinction in their field of endeavor. In November 2003, she received a Leadership in Media Award from the American Legacy Foundation for her antismoking initiatives and a WISER Award from the Heinz Family Philanthropies. Levine was awarded the first annual Media Award by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) for the numerous articles on mental illness she published in Good Housekeeping. She was also recognized by the American Health Foundation in 1996, received the Writer’s Hall of Fame Award for her lifestyle coverage, served as a delegate at the International Women’s Media Foundation meeting in Prague and was elected to the YMCA’s Academy of Women Achievers. Similar citations have been bestowed upon Levine by the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, Douglass College of Rutgers University, the East Bergen Business and Professional Women’s Club, Columbia University School of Nursing (which awarded Levine a Second Century Award for Excellence in Health Care in 1997) and Birmingham-Southern College for outstanding achievement. In 1989, she received the Matrix Award for exceptional achievement, one of the communication industry’s most prestigious honors. Levine served two terms as president of the American Society of Magazine Editors, from 1994 to 1996. She was appointed a member of the U.S. Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography and filed a minority dissent. As a result of her work with the commission, the American Society of Journalists and Authors presented her with an award in 1986 for courage in the pursuit of truth. And in 1987, she was similarly honored by the Atlantic Coast Independent Distributors for distinguished service in defending the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

She currently serves on the charitable boards of the New York Restoration Project, Bette Midler’s effort to revitalize parks in all boroughs of New York City and the board of advisors of New York Women in Communications. Her corporate boards include Gaylord Entertainment and Lifetime Television.

Levine is the author of numerous books and articles, and her work has appeared in many publications, including The New York Times. She began her journalism career at The Record in Hackensack, New Jersey, following her graduation from Wellesley College.