Acton Bridge board thanks retiring CEO Maile Hulihan

After more than two years as the first chief executive officer of The Acton Bridge, Maile Hulihan will retire at the end of May. 

“Maile embodies the values we hold for a free and independent local news source for Acton,” The Bridge’s board of directors said in a statement. 

“She fiercely upheld our commitment to quality journalism as integral to a thriving democracy,” said Alice Kaufman, president of the board. “We are grateful for her tireless leadership as the newspaper has transitioned out of startup mode to the paper it is today. Maile has created a caring culture in which the staff work together to reflect and reveal the vibrancy of Acton to its readers.”

During her tenure, the board said, Hulihan has strengthened the editorial and financial foundations of The Bridge. She forged relationships inside and outside the publication, promoting both growth and stability and helping establish the newspaper as “a public trust that values every voice in the community” and “a worthy marketing partner to our advertisers and sponsors.”

The board also pointed to the 14 New England Newspaper & Press Association awards The Bridge has garnered in the last year alone, praising the newspaper’s journalists for “their in-depth reporting and heartfelt storytelling.” They thanked Hulihan for “her steady hand and rigorous commitment to our mission as she worked to take a passion project and form it into the quality newspaper it has become.”

It’s “been a joy to work with a talented team committed to authentic storytelling about the fascinating people who live in Acton,” Hulihan said. 

“While national events and misinformation campaigns are roiling the country, our local governmental coverage gives voters accurate information to ensure democracy is working in their community,” she continued. “I’m grateful to the board for the opportunity to be part of writing a first draft of history for Acton in these unprecedented times.”

The board wished Hulihan joy in resuming the retirement she put on hold to serve as Bridge CEO.