Ellen Pollock, who led The New York Times Business desk for nearly a decade, is stepping down from her role as Business editor. She joined The Times in 2017 after serving as editor in chief at Bloomberg Businessweek and holding positions at The Wall Street Journal and The American Lawyer. Known for her dynamic leadership style, Pollock often used a spaceship virtual background during video meetings, symbolizing her command of the newsroom.

She cited the demanding nature of managing a large team and competitive coverage as key challenges, relying on momentum and instinct to endure. The Covid-19 pandemic marked one of the most difficult periods, with coverage spanning economic collapse, job losses, and government relief programs. During lockdown, Pollock worked long hours from her apartment, eventually injuring her back and struggling with limited medical access.

Despite the hardships, she praised her team's resilience and commitment to informing readers with accuracy and nuance. Pollock emphasized that journalism's core mission — delivering truth quickly and thoroughly — remained her driving force throughout her tenure.