Barbara W. Wall, born in 1955, has a solid background in law, holding a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She has been a key part of Gannett Co., Inc. for decades, first joining the...

Barbara W. Wall, born in 1955, has a solid background in law, holding a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She has been a key part of Gannett Co., Inc. for decades, first joining the company in 1985. Before stepping into her role as interim CEO in 2019, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, showcasing her deep understanding of both legal and operational aspects of the business. As interim COO prior to her role as CEO, Barbara managed important company functions while also focusing on legal issues. Her leadership style is heavily influenced by performance metrics and aligning executive compensation with company success. Notably, during her time at Gannett, she received a total compensation of $442,747 in 2019, mostly from an impressive cash bonus. Barbara also has a significant presence in the stock market; her insider trading activities showed notable fluctuations, with her holdings peaking at around $1.8 million. She has a reputation for strategic decision-making, particularly seen through her long-term incentives that revolve around the company's digital growth. Her journey reflects a blend of legal expertise and an operational mindset, making her a prominent figure at Gannett and in the media landscape.