Boston Globe editor Nancy Barnes to step down

The Boston Globe's editor is stepping down after just under three years at the paper's top post.

Nancy Barnes became the first woman to lead the newspaper when she joined the Globe in 2023.

"It's time for me to take a break from the daily firestorm of news, consider new challenges and tend to some personal issues," Barnes told the Globe. "This is a special newsroom, full of dedicated journalists with big hearts, who are driven to deliver great journalism day in and day out — as you have these last three years. It has been my great privilege to work with you."

In a statement to WBUR, Boston Globe Media praised Barnes for guiding the organization's award-winning news coverage and shaping its investigative reporting.

"While she steps back from daily duties to focus on other priorities, we are grateful she will remain a trusted mentor and guide as Globe Editor at Large," the statement read. "We celebrate her remarkable achievements over her long career and look forward to her continued counsel in our next chapter."

According to the Globe, Barnes will leave her editor role at the end of next week. A spokesperson said, "we’ll be sharing information about future plans very soon."

Prior to the Globe, Barnes was the chief news executive at NPR, a role she held for four years. She stepped down in September of 2022 amid changes to the leadership structure. Barnes has also led the newsrooms of the Houston Chronicle and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.