Jenn White is the new publisher of Our State, stepping into the role with both reverence and unmistakable joy. Chosen by longtime publisher Bernie Mann, who remains in the role of president, White is the first woman to lead the 93-year-old publication — a milestone that feels both historic and, somehow, perfectly natural.

“It is an enormous honor and responsibility to take on the role of publisher,” White says. “It’s also going to be a lot of fun. I work with great people on a great magazine — we’re a positive bunch of folks.”

And that positivity follows her wherever she goes. A North Carolina native, White carries with her an easy warmth — a lilting Southern accent, a generous laugh, and a presence that seems to lift a room the moment she walks in. People don’t just notice Jenn White; they respond to her.

“Our job is to bring joy to North Carolinians all over the state, the U.S., and the world,” she says.

That reach is no small claim. From the Blue Ridge to the coast — and far beyond — Our State finds its way into homes in all 50 states and in 13 countries, connecting readers through stories that celebrate place, tradition, and the everyday beauty of life in North Carolina.

White’s own story with the magazine began in 2006, when she joined the team as circulation manager. It was there, among subscriber lists and reader insights, that she came to understand not just who the Our State audience is, but why it matters. After two years, she returned to her first love: leading sales teams and building relationships across our state — helping businesses tell their stories alongside the magazine’s own.

Under her guidance, those stories have multiplied in both reach and form. Print advertising has flourished, but so, too, has the magazine’s digital presence — a lively, ever-growing collection of podcasts, newsletters, videos, and more. From the Storytellers podcast to the Our State Book Club podcast, the brand meets readers wherever they are, while staying true to its roots.

That innovation has not gone unnoticed. As one of her first acts as publisher, White will take the stage at the annual conference of the City and Regional Magazine Association, sharing the success of Our State’s digital expansion. It’s fitting: The magazine is the second-largest regional publication in the country and a leader among its peers.

Back home, her office at 800 Green Valley in Greensboro will serve as both headquarters and a launching point. From there, White will guide the magazine forward, exploring new opportunities in all the divisions of the brand — including travel, special events, products, and television — all while preserving the spirit that has defined Our State for generations.

Yet, for all the professional milestones, White measures her success in more personal terms.

Her greatest accomplishment, she says, is a life built with family — more than 35 years of marriage to a supportive husband and the joy of raising an extraordinary son.

It’s a perspective that feels especially fitting for someone now entrusted with telling the stories of an entire state. Because at its heart, Our State has always been about connection — to place, to people, and to one another.

With Jenn White at the helm, that connection feels brighter than ever.