AUGUSTA — The Maine Monitor has hired Renée Johansson, a Bangor resident and well-known Maine non-profit leader and brand strategist, to fill a new position as development director for the non-profit investigative news operation.

The Maine Monitor was founded in 2009, as non-profit, foundation- and donor-supported journalism organizations surfaced throughout the U.S. to counter declines at traditional media outlets. Its mission is to “deliver fearless, independent, citizen-minded, non-partisan journalism that informs Mainers about issues affecting our state and inspires them to take action.”

The nonprofit newsroom shares its investigative stories to media partners around the state and New England region for republication by those outlets at no cost to the partner outlets. 

Johansson, who served as executive director of Sustainable Harvest International from 2012-2019, and who also runs a creative studio specializing in brand visuals, grant writing and event planning, said the mission of The Maine Monitor sold her on getting involved.

“The Maine Monitor is so much more than a news source,” she said. “The impact reporting consistently generated by the Monitor team is building awareness and accountability on issues that matter now and for the future of Maine.

“The Monitor has a high degree of integrity, ethics and grit,” Johansson continued, “which is exactly the kind of organization I can stand behind. I am pleased to help donors invest in this important state resource.”

Prior to leading Sustainable Harvest International, Johansson served as the organization’s director of communications. She also was development director for WERU-FM Community Radio in East Orland and was business manager of the AIDS Task Force. She is a graduate of the University of Washington, with a degree in communications.

Eric Conrad, editor of The Maine Monitor and executive director of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, said Johansson’s hiring ushers in a new phase for the state’s only news source dedicated to investigative and explanatory journalism.

“The Monitor’s brand awareness is growing every day in Maine and beyond,” Conrad said. “Media outlets throughout New England republish our work, our Daily Newsletter is read by more than 5,000 prominent Mainers and we’re winning more awards than ever. Now is the perfect time for an expert like Renée to further our ties to business sponsors, individual donors and foundations and grant providers.”

To learn more about the Monitor, and to support our mission, visit its website: themainemonitor.org.