An award-winning Mississippi journalist with more than 27 years of newswriting experience is the new managing editor of The Daily Leader. Donna Campbell, 49, took over editorial duties Tuesday.

Campbell was raised in the small town of Hurley in Jackson County, nestled between Lucedale in George County and Pascagoula’s beach front.

She received an associate’s degree from Gulf Coast Community College in Gautier, where she was editor of the college’s newspaper. She studied journalism at Southern Miss while reporting news at the Hattiesburg American and the (Pascagoula) Mississippi Press.

She spent several years at The Sun Herald in Gulfport where she covered crime and general interest stories in the lower six Coastal counties, before moving to Newton County in 2013 to marry her fiancé, Brett, a pastor from Chunky.

She served as editor of The Newton County Appeal before moving with her husband to Natchitoches, Louisiana. In Louisiana, Campbell was lifestyle editor of The Natchitoches Times.

The Campbells have a blended family. Jessica Clement lives in Brookhaven with her mother and step-father. Toby, Britain and Emma Campbell live in Robeline, Louisiana, with their mother and step-father. Devon Campbell will be starting Delta State as a sophomore in the fall.

“It feels wonderful to be back in Mississippi,” Campbell said. “We’ve only been in Brookhaven for a short time, but it already feels like home.”

Daily Leader Publisher Luke Horton said Campbell’s experience and talent will be a great addition to the newspaper.

“Donna will be a great asset to this newspaper and the community,” Horton said. “She understands the important role that newspapers play in communities, and she is committed to continuing the strong editorial legacy of The Daily Leader.”

Readers can contact Campbell at 601-265-5304 or donna.campbell@dailyleader.com.