PLOS Appoints Elizabeth Marincola as Chief Executive Officer

PLOS is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Attracting one of publishing’s most inspiring leaders, PLOS has named Elizabeth Marincola as CEO, effective August 12, 2013. For the past 8 years Marincola served as President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public (SSP), an organization dedicated to advancing public understanding and appreciation of science, with an emphasis on high school students and teachers. SSP is also publisher of the Science News family of publications. Marincola served as the Executive Director of The American Society for Cell Biology from 1991-2005, and on the Board of PLOS from 2005-2011. Marincola received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

“Elizabeth is a passionate and dynamic leader with extensive experience in publishing who fully embraces the Open Access principles that drive our mission”, said Gary Ward, Chairman of the Board, PLOS. “As PLOS enters a new phase of growth and innovation, the Board believes Elizabeth will instill new energy and focus to the organization that will help us continue to be a leading force in the transformation of research communication.”

“I am thrilled to be joining PLOS, an organization for which I have profound respect as a leading scientific publisher, Open Access advocate and technology innovator”, said Marincola. “I leave SSP in the hands of outstanding governance and management and am confident that the Society will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years. I look forward to forging new relationships at PLOS as we strive to grow and innovate.”

Longtime CEO, Peter Jerram, and Chief Financial Officer, Steve Borostyan, will be leaving the organization effective May 10, 2013. “Since its establishment as a publisher more than ten years ago, PLOS has grown to become a self-sustaining organization with more than 170 employees. This is a tremendous accomplishment that both PJ and Steve have been instrumental in making happen” said Ward. “We thank PJ and Steve for their years of service to the organization. They have done a fantastic job of guiding the organization and getting us to where we are today. They are an important part of PLOS history.”

The Board has appointed an interim leadership team effective immediately to ensure that PLOS is able to continue to move projects and strategic initiatives forward. Together with the existing PLOS Executive team, they will govern the organization until Marincola’s arrival.