With a career shaped by more than four decades of leadership in magazine publishing, Rebecca Sterner has become a trusted authority in the publishing landscape. As founder and principal consultant of Rebecca Sterner Consulting LLC, she has devoted her expertise exclusively to working with magazine publishers, focusing on paid circulation and the development of special interest publications. In this role, she participates in company strategy and succession planning, organizes and trains staff, and addresses complex organizational challenges to enhance overall performance. Her consulting philosophy is centered on tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each client rather than relying on standardized approaches.
Ms. Sterner’s educational foundation reflects her lifelong passion for communication and culture. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and communications from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and later pursued coursework toward a master’s degree in liberal arts at Hamline University. Her earlier education includes studies at Rosemount High School and Munich American High School, experiences that nurtured her global perspective and curiosity about the ways media shape society. She credits her academic background with sharpening her analytical thinking and communication skills, both of which have been essential to her consulting practice.
Before launching her own consulting firm, Ms. Sterner played a pivotal role in guiding one of the nation’s most respected alternative publications through a major transition. As acting president of “Utne Reader” under LENS Publishing, she led the organization through a crucial leadership change following the temporary departure of its founder. During this period, she implemented strategic initiatives and organizational restructuring that positioned the publication for continued success. This experience underscored her ability to lead with vision and pragmatism, qualities that would later define her consulting practice.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Sterner helped transform the children’s publishing landscape as part of the team that launched “Ladybug” magazine for the Cricket Magazine Group. At a time when the company was known for a single children’s title, her contributions played a critical role in expanding its portfolio from one publication to more than a dozen, reshaping the organization’s business model and market presence. This success remains a hallmark of her career and an example of her talent for identifying growth opportunities and executing them effectively.
Ms. Sterner has also collaborated extensively with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Her work has included consulting for religious groups and progressive publications such as “In These Times.” She was appointed as a consultant by the Lila Wallace Foundation for a major project in partnership with the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. Originally conceived as a three-year initiative, the project grew beyond its initial scope, providing vital funding and support to small literary publishers. Through this effort, she helped organizations develop business plans, refine their marketing strategies and build sustainable operations, an experience she describes as particularly fulfilling due to its cultural and social impact.
Ms. Sterner’s leadership extends beyond consulting engagements. She is a past board member of the Minnesota Magazine Publishers Association, where she contributed to advancing industry standards and professional development. Her dedication and impact have been recognized with several honors, including the Hedley Donovan Award and the Greg Carey Leadership Award, both presented by the Minnesota Magazine Publishers Association.
The roots of Ms. Sterner’s consulting career can be traced to her early experiences at a prominent Saint Paul publishing company, where she managed her own division while advising other departments. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, she was naturally drawn to independent work, and consulting proved to be the ideal avenue for combining her expertise with her desire to make a meaningful difference in the industry.
Beyond her professional life, Ms. Sterner is deeply engaged in civic and cultural initiatives. She is a donor to the Committee to Protect Journalists and remains involved with nonprofit organizations that support literary culture. In the future, she aims to help organizations refine their strategies, assess their progress, and position themselves for success in a media landscape that demands innovation, adaptability, and insight, qualities that have defined her career from the very beginning.