When the local weekly newspaper in Bend, Oregon found itself between editors, they asked grassrootsPR’s Renée Alexander to step in as Interim Editor for three months. This gave the Source Weekly a bit of breathing room, allowing them to cast a wide net to identify candidates beyond the immediate community. 

During her temporary assignment, Alexander created a cloud-based editorial calendar and article submission system to streamline workflow for the incoming editor, the graphic designer, and reporters, both in-house and remote. She also led weekly editorial meetings, planned content for future issues, assigned and edited stories, wrote news and feature articles, and managed the day-to-day operations of the newsroom. When the new editor was hired, Alexander provided training and support to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. More than three years later, that editor remains at the helm of the paper, and continues to use the workflow system Alexander created as Interim Editor.

Alexander has also held down the fort for Rainforest Action Network during their search for a new Communications Director, and for Clif Bar & Company during a Communications Associate’s maternity leave and sabbatical.