Jonathan Thornton serves as Chief Operating Officer at Civic News Company, supporting the organization’s operations, strategy, human resources, and philanthropy teams in service to the journalism at Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat. He brings broad executive experience aligning organization-wide execution, organizational health, and strategic growth across education, juvenile justice, healthcare, and literacy initiatives.

Jon’s non-profit management path took shape at a national education advocacy organization that scaled from $15m to $60m in two years, a trial by fire that taught him how to build systems that hold up under rapid growth. He translated those lessons into six years at College Track, a national college completion program, where he served as Vice President of Development. There, he managed multi-region national teams, oversaw revenue operations, and helped guide the organization through expansion from $11m to $30m in annual operating budget.

Prior to joining Civic News Company, Jon focused on helping organizations strengthen their internal engine and cross-functional strategy for sustainable scale, advising and leading through pivotal growth phases at organizations including Make-A-Wish in Northern California, Aim High, and Raising a Reader.

Jon grew up in Sacramento, where he currently resides with his wife Deborah, their two daughters, and his dog Brutus, who remains largely unimpressed by organizational strategy.