Inc. & Fast Company CEO: How Stephanie Mehta Redefined the Path from Editor to CEO | E144

Stephanie Mehta never chased the CEO title. She chased the story. She built her career in some of the toughest newsrooms in the world, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Vanity Fair, where credibility is earned line by line. Those same instincts eventually carried her beyond the newsroom and into leadership, leading her to the CEO seat at Mansueto Ventures, the company behind Fast Company and Inc. In this episode, Stephanie joins Ilana to share her journey from journalism student to leading iconic media brands, the challenges of stepping into executive leadership, and how to prioritize as a leader in an ever-changing industry.

Stephanie Mehta is a journalist, business executive, and CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, the media company that publishes Fast Company and Inc. magazines. She has held senior editorial roles at Fortune, Bloomberg, and Vanity Fair.

In this episode, Ilana and Stephanie will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:52) Stephanie's Early Career in Journalism

(05:16) Challenges and Growth at the Wall Street Journal

(10:35) Transitioning to Fortune Magazine

(17:38) Reflecting on 14 Years at Fortune 

(22:42) Taking a Break and Exploring New Opportunities

(27:18) Becoming the CEO of Fast Company

(35:37) How to Get Stories Published in Major Media

(39:11) Rising Above the Noise in Business

(42:01) How Stephanie Prioritizes as a CEO

(45:26) How Careers are Changing in the Modern Era

(49:31) The Impact of Immigrant Upbringing

Stephanie Mehta is a journalist, business executive, and CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, the media company that publishes Fast Company and Inc. magazines. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company and held senior editorial roles at Fortune, Bloomberg, and Vanity Fair. Stephanie is also the author of the Modern CEO newsletter, where she explores leadership, careers, and the future of work.

Connect with Stephanie:

Stephanie’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mehta-media-ceo 

Resources Mentioned:

Modern CEO Newsletter: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/modern-ceo 

Leap Academy:

LeapCon is the #1 Conference for Reinvention, Leadership & Career — a powerful 3‑day experience designed to help you unlock what’s next in your career and life.

📍 San Jose, CA

📅 Feb 26–28, 2025

If you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and bold action, this is your moment.

👉 Grab your ticket before doors close at leapacademy.com/leapcon