Slate Promotes Editor-in-Chief Hillary Frey to CEO, Succeeding Dan Check

Slate has named editor-in-chief Hillary Frey as its new CEO, effective immediately, according to a memo obtained by Axios. She succeeds Dan Check, who left the digital magazine for another role within parent company Graham Holdings. Frey, editor-in-chief since 2022, will oversee the business while continuing to lead the newsroom. Her primary focus will be elevating editorial products to boost subscriptions, Slate's largest revenue stream, while investing in coverage of politics, courts and culture. Under her leadership, Slate launched a video unit and expanded newsletters and podcasts. The promotion comes amid a difficult period for digital publishing. In a July regulatory filing, Graham Holdings said Slate reported lower revenue and operated at a loss in the first half of 2026, without disclosing figures. Slate employed just over 100 people as of the end of 2025. Parent company CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy said the priority for 2027 is ensuring Slate's financial stability.