When NBC News first approached me, I was flattered.
Weeks later, after an emotional process, I made the difficult decision to leave The Huffington Post after two years. I delivered the news first to Arianna, who has been amazing through this entire process. I thanked her again for taking time out of her busy schedule, for everything she’s done for me, and for the generous offers to stay at HuffPost. I just ultimately decided it was time to move on. This was an incredible opportunity and new challenge that was too great to pass up. She said she understood. We hugged.
We agreed I’d stay until the end of the month and that time has come. It’s definitely bittersweet in that I’ve enjoyed my time at HuffPost, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, and I’ll miss so many colleagues. And I’m grateful for the opportunity HuffPost gave me.
I am also very excited for what’s to come. Next week, I’ll start with NBC News as social media editor. I’ll have the opportunity to focus on what I’m most passionate about: social media as a platform for journalism and innovation. The chance to work for NBC News, at 30 Rock, and collaborate with colleagues at msnbc.com and Breaking News; knowing NBC owns the rights to the 2012 Olympics and will be all over the 2012 Elections; and seeing NBC’s growing commitment to digital all made me confident in this decision. I also think the world of Ryan Osborn (@rozzy), Vivian Schiller (@vivianschiller), Anthony Quintano (@anthonyquintano), Lauren McCullough (@lfmccullough), Cory Bergman (@corybe) and the many other talented folks at NBC including Brian Williams and Ann Curry.
It doesn’t hurt that my childhood idol growing up in Buffalo, Tim Russert, worked for NBC News for more than 20 years - until his death in 2008. He was a true role model, inspired me and made me realize that someone from Buffalo can succeed. I also modeled my own way of doing journalism after his as I began my career - working hard, asking tough questions and doing your homework. It would be an honor to one day meet Luke Russert, his son who now works for NBC News, and say Go Bills. Hopefully I get that chance.
I’d like to end this post with a special thank you to Arianna Huffington for believing in me, responding to a blind email, and giving me the opportunity to move to New York two years ago. You forever changed my life and I’ll always be grateful for that.
And thank you to Nico, Paul, Tim, Mario, Cindy, Whitney and Roy for being brilliant mentors. I’ve learned so much from all of you. I’d also like to give a shout to the trends, social and tech teams at HuffPost, as well as all of our editors and reporters. It’s been a pleasure to work with you all. I wish you all nothing but the best going forward.
