Two of Mary Berner’s biggest hires since taking the top job at Reader’s Digest Association — Alyce Alston and Eva Dillon — will soon be leaving the company. Alston has served as president of emerging businesses and Dillon, president of Reader’s Digest Community. Alston is leaving next week and her responsibilities will be divided among current employees. Dillon is departing before yearend to live full time in Charleston, S.C. She will stay with the company on an interim basis, reporting to her successor, Lisa Sharples, who has served as president of Allrecipes.com in Seattle. Berner lured Alston and Dillon to RDA in early 2007.
Alston previously served as chief executive officer of De Beers Diamond Jewellers US and before that, as group publisher of W magazine at Fairchild when it was run by Berner. Dillon joined RDA from Condé Nast, where she served as vice president and founding publisher of Cookie. Previously, she was publisher of Jane, again working with Berner.
The company officially emerged from Chapter 11 in February, following a delay that stemmed from issues regarding RDA’s British subsidiary. Top managers — who would include Alston and Dillon — shared $3.1 million upon the completion of its financial restructuring.