Sahan Journal, a nonprofit digital newsroom chronicling Minnesota’s communities of color and immigrant experience, has hired a new leader to replace its outgoing founding publisher and chief executive director.
Sahan’s board of directors has selected nonprofit executive Vanan Murugesan to run its 23-person newsroom, which shares space with the St. Paul Neighborhood Network at Vandalia Tower in St. Paul.
Murugesan, who was previously the head of transformation at Pillsbury United Communities, grew up in Malaysia as the child of Indian and Chinese parents and immigrated to the U.S. to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He later received his master’s of business administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
During his nine years with Pillsbury, he co-founded North Market in Minneapolis, the largest nonprofit grocery store in Minnesota, and piloted Career Pathways, a holistic workforce development program for youth. He also created business plans for North News, a community newspaper, and KRSM, a low-powered FM station. Both media outlets are owned and operated by Pillsbury United.
As interim chief financial officer at Pillsbury during 2020-2021, Murugesan oversaw a budget of $15 million and improved financial practices, according to a notice from Sahan’s outgoing CEO, Mukhtar Ibrahim.
“Vanan brings deep experience and expertise in fundraising, strategic growth and financial management,” said Ibrahim, who noted that as outgoing CEO he did not directly participate in the search and hiring process. “I believe the board has made an excellent decision and that Vanan is uniquely well-equipped to lead Sahan in its next act.”
Ibrahim, a former reporter with Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune, launched the donor-driven and grant-funded online newsroom in August 2019. He announced eight months ago that he planned to move on once his successor was hired. Ibrahim said he will step down from his role and hand the reigns to Murugesan on Sept. 3.
