Aminda Marqués González, who has led the newsrooms at the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald to multiple honors during challenging times in the news industry, told her staff Thursday that she is leaving the organization to become vice president and executive editor at book publisher Simon & Schuster.
In an emotional virtual meeting Thursday afternoon with the staff, which has worked remotely since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marqués talked about her decision, often blinking back tears.
“Over the years," she said, "I’ve been approached time and again about an opportunity at this paper or that paper, and it’s been an easy hard no. If I’m going to work at a newspaper, there’s no place I’m going to work other than at the Miami Herald.”
But the possibility of a book editor job intrigued her, she said. “I’ve dedicated much of my career helping to find and tell the hidden stories of diverse, dynamic and complex communities. With Simon & Schuster, I will have the opportunity to expand the audience for these stories and to help find fresh new voices and authors that represent the rich tapestry of this country.”
Her last day will be Nov. 12. A search for her successor has begun, with Herald Managing Editor Rick Hirsch serving as interim executive editor.
