The Public Radio Program Directors Association announced Tuesday that Abby Goldstein, GM of WYEP in Pittsburgh, will be its next president.
Goldstein will step down from her job at WYEP to accept the full-time position. She will begin in the role June 17 and remain in Pittsburgh.
The incoming president told Current that she wants PRPD to be “the central place for the conversations around audience development.” Goldstein said she sees an opportunity to increase PRPD’s year-round activity, including webinars, convenings, research projects and partnerships with other organizations. The organization could also help stations connect with audiences using new strategies for platforms including mobile, video and live events.
“There’s a lot of topics that I think we can cover for our membership in year-round programming instead of making everything wait until the conference,” she said.
Goldstein said she plans to work with PRPD’s board to hone the organization’s “strategic focus.” She will also visit programmers at stations to assess their challenges and how PRPD can support them.
Goldstein began her career in 1986 at KVLU in Beaumont, Texas, as a late-night jazz host. Before joining WYEP, she was head of programming at KERA in Dallas and New Hampshire Public Radio. She served on PRPD’s board from 2008–16.
A membership organization, PRPD stages an annual conference and provides resources for program directors in public radio. Goldstein replaces Jody Evans, who has led PRPD since 2014. Evans announced in November that she would not renew her contract. She has continued to lead the organization during the search for her replacement.
“We’re excited to have someone with Abby’s breadth of experience and caliber lead PRPD,” said Todd Mundt, chair of the PRPD board, in a press release. “She has the energy and drive to make PRPD an even more important resource for members, and extend our value beyond the already successful conference.”