Michelle Sobrino-Stearns , Variety CEO and Group Publisher, who has been the driving force in the business transformation of Variety over the past dozen years, will step down next month after 28 years with the venerable entertainment news brand.

Sobrino-Stearns is segueing to an entrepreneurial venture with a startup fashion brand. The decision fulfills her long-held desire to help build a business from the ground up.

With Sobrino-Stearns’ departure, Dea Lawrence will take on the top business role at Variety , advancing to co-president and publisher. Ramin Setoodeh has been named co-president in addition to his role as co-Editor in Chief.

Setoodeh will take on greater responsibility for steering the strategic direction of Variety and the expansion of its editorial activities

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