Connect to Life's Experts

About Gayle Butler

Gayle Butler is the editor-in-chief of Better Homes and Gardens, a position she has held since 2006. She also serves as Executive Vice President and Creative Content Leader for the Meredith National Media Group, overseeing all creative activities since June 2011.

Under Gayle's leadership, the magazine has received a number of prestigious awards, including being named the 2007 Magazine of the Year by Advertising Age. Reflecting the magazine's tagline Home-It's Where Life Happens, Gayle has sharpened the magazine's focus on how families live within their homes and injected more lifestyle photography.

She has also broadened lifestyle coverage to include more technology, fashion, beauty, entertaining and technology. In October 2010, Gayle led a refresh of the magazine's design, and in April 2011, introduced a interactive digital edition designed for the iPad and has since that time has overseen the brand's expansion across multiple tablet extensions including the Nook, Kindle Fire, and Next Issue Media among others. Butler has also led the brand's growth in social media where it has become the largest women's lifestyle magazine on Facebook.

In addition, Butler has expanded the brand's coverage in the women's lifestyle area, including a feature cover story on First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to promote healthier eating, nutrition, and fitness among the nation's children. This was the first time that Better Homes and Gardens had featured a celebrity on the cover in decades and the issue generated enormous media exposure for the brand across broadcast, print, and digital media.

In July 2008, Gayle was named to the additional position within the publishing group of Senior Vice President-Des Moines Editorial Director. In April 2010 she added the title of Brand Leader, overseeing editorial for the Better Homes and Gardens Web site (BHG.com), mobile products, and Special Interest Media.

After joining Meredith in 1983, Gayle quickly rose through the ranks, holding various senior editorial positions with the company. Gayle served as the editorial director at Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications and Creative Collection, a portfolio of more than 100 publications covering home design, building and remodeling, gardening, food and health, holidays and crafts; previously, she worked as editor-in-chief of the Building/Remodeling Special Interest Publications. Prior to joining Meredith, Gayle was responsible for shareholder and employee publications for Potomac Electric Power Company in Washington, D.C. She also served as a press secretary for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gayle is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of University of Richmond, Va. In 2005, she was recognized with the Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award. Gayle serves on the board of the University of Richmond Alumni Association Board. A member of the American Society of Magazine Editors, Gayle has served multiple years as judging leader for the National Magazine Awards and has served on the ASME Board.