Edward Felsenthal

Edward Felsenthal is an American journalist and editor who served as the editor-in-chief of *Time* magazine from 2017 to 2022. He previously held senior editorial roles at The Wall Street Journal and was a co-founder of the digital news outlet The Daily Beast. Under his leadership, *Time* expanded its digital footprint, launched new franchises, and continued its tradition of impactful journalism, including its signature Person of the Year issue.

Early life and education

Edward Felsenthal was born around 1966 in Memphis, Tennessee. He pursued his undergraduate education at Harvard University, where he served as the president of the daily student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson. Following his graduation, Felsenthal earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.

Career

Felsenthal began his professional career practicing law at the firm Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C.. He transitioned into journalism, joining The Wall Street Journal in 1994. During his lengthy tenure at the *Journal*, he held several key positions, including deputy managing editor and executive editor of WSJ.com, where he played a pivotal role in developing the publication's early digital strategy. In 2008, he left to become a co-founder and executive editor of The Daily Beast, working alongside editor-in-chief Tina Brown. He returned to *The Wall Street Journal* in 2010 as digital editor, overseeing its online and mobile news operations.

Leadership at Time

Felsenthal was appointed editor-in-chief of *Time* in September 2017, succeeding Nancy Gibbs. His appointment came shortly after the magazine was acquired by Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne Benioff, from Meredith Corporation. As the first editor-in-chief to lead the title under its new ownership, Felsenthal focused on transforming the century-old brand into a modern, multi-platform news organization. He oversaw the launch of new editorial initiatives such as the Time 100 franchise expansion, the Time 100 Health list, and the Time 100 Next list. Under his guidance, *Time*'s coverage of major events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 United States presidential election, and the Black Lives Matter movement garnered significant attention. He also stewarded the magazine's iconic Person of the Year selections, which during his tenure included figures like The Guardians (2018), Greta Thunberg (2019), and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (2020).

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Felsenthal has been recognized for his contributions to journalism. The teams he led at *Time* were finalists for National Magazine Awards, and the publication won a Webby Award for Best News Website in 2020. His earlier work at The Wall Street Journal contributed to the paper's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage. In 2021, he was named to the Adweek list of "Most Powerful Editors in News."

Personal life

Edward Felsenthal is married to Dana Canedy, a former senior editor at The New York Times and administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes who later became the publisher of Simon & Schuster. The couple has two children and resides in New York City. Felsenthal serves on the board of the Harvard Crimson and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Category:American journalists Category:Editors of Time (magazine) Category:Harvard University alumni Category:University of Chicago Law School alumni Category:People from Memphis, Tennessee