The Bucks County Beacon is positioning itself for long-term growth with the addition of its first chief revenue officer, marking a significant step in the online news outlet’s effort to strengthen its sustainability and expand its community presence. Daralyse Lyons has joined the organization’s leadership team alongside owner and publisher Emily Smith.

Lyons, who will oversee the development and execution of revenue strategies, is charged with cultivating donors, guiding grant applications, and leading sales initiatives. She also plans to build the Beacon’s visibility through community engagement and local events. The role is designed to support the publication’s ambitions while allowing the existing leadership to focus more directly on editorial and operational needs.

Smith said the role itself grew out of necessity, and out of conversations with Lyons. While developing a strategic plan last year, Smith realized the Beacon needed dedicated fundraising support. She sought advice through the Lenfest Community Slack group, where Lyons responded and offered to discuss the development landscape. What began as a consultation soon evolved into a partnership.

“I don’t think either of us knew where that initial conversation would lead—whether it was an interview or just a fact-finding mission,” Smith said. “At that point, I wasn’t even sure I had the capacity to hire anyone. However, we clicked immediately. Through multiple conversations over the course of two months, we realized a Development Director wasn’t exactly what we needed. We built the Chief Revenue Officer position around her specific strengths. So, the role didn’t truly exist until Daralyse entered the picture.”

Lyons also said the alignment was immediate. “I was definitely not what she was looking for initially, but it was a phenomenal and immediate match,” she said. “Emily is a wonderful leader who has gifted me the ability to carve out my own niche, and I feel lucky every day to be spearheading the Beacon’s revenue initiatives.”

Daralyse Lyons steps into her new role

Lyons describes her approach to fundraising as relationship-focused rather than transactional, emphasizing consistent outreach, active listening and long-term connections. “I see myself as a connector and an empath,” she said. “Revenue flows from meaningful connections and high-impact work.”

When asked about how her previous experience may impact her new role, Lyons said her work with the National Association of Black Journalists and the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists informs her commitment to inclusive storytelling, even if the connection is not always direct in her day-to-day responsibilities. She said the Beacon’s mission closely aligns with her personal values.

“The Bucks County Beacon is a trusted source of news and information for people whose stories aren’t always reflected in the news,” she said. “I love being part of an organization that is holding powerful people accountable and making a difference simply by telling the truth.”

Behind the Beacon

The Beacon remains a small but growing operation. With Lyons’ arrival, the full-time staff has increased from two to three, supported by a network of about 10 part-time freelancers. Smith said every new position is built from the ground up as the publication evolves from generalist roles into a more structured organization.

Founded in 2021, the Beacon began publishing with what Smith described as a “minimum viable product” approach, intentionally delaying investment in long-term systems until the outlet gained traction. The newsroom is now participating in LION Publishers’ Sustainability 360 program to build out revenue, operational, and impact-focused processes.

Even as the organization grows, Smith said it intends to maintain the lean, agile mindset that defined its first years. “The goal isn’t to become heavy or slow,” she said. “It is simply to reach a point where we have enough dedicated people to handle our needs effectively, without losing our agility.”

With this growth mindset, both Smith and Lyons see the expanded leadership structure as an important step toward building a stable and replicable model for local journalism.

Learn more about the Bucks County Beacon by visiting www.buckscountybeacon.com