New York Public Radio has hired Goli Sheikholeslami as its president and CEO, the organization announced Wednesday.
Sheikholeslami comes from Chicago Public Media, licensee of WBEZ and urban alternative station Vocalo. Under her leadership since 2014, CPM has bolstered its newsroom and revenues while improving WBEZ’s digital offerings.
CPM’s total revenues increased more than 42 percent during the 2018 fiscal year compared to FY14, according to tax documents. The public media organization also expanded its staff from about 100 employees to 150, according to a WBEZ news article about her departure. The station also redesigned its website under her watch to include unique audio tools for listening to the station’s content.
Chicago media critic Robert Feder called Sheikholeslami the “most powerful woman in Chicago journalism” earlier this year.
“Goli has dedicated her career to helping some of the country’s most venerable media companies create new content, reach broader audiences, and identify new revenue streams — all while staying true to their core missions,” said Mayo Stuntz, chair of the NYPR board of trustees, said in a press release. “She possesses deep experience integrating traditional and digital media, and she is one of the foremost leaders in the public radio system.”
She will take over leadership of NYPR in October. In addition to its NPR News station WNYC, NYPR owns classical station WQXR, New Jersey Public Radio and the digital news site Gothamist. Its WNYC Studios unit also produces a slate of popular podcasts. NYPR’s revenues in FY18 totaled more than $94 million, nearly triple the amount earned by CPM.
“At a time when local news is in retreat, WNYC’s award-winning local news coverage remains vital and impactful,” Sheikholeslami said in the release. “NYPR is investing in new content and new ways to reach audiences around the world. I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding team at NYPR to build on this rich legacy.”
CPM was Sheikholeslami’s first executive role in public media. She previously held leadership positions at the Washington Post, Condé Nast and other media companies.
Sheikholeslami’s hiring ends a seven-month national search to replace Laura Walker, who announced her decision to step down in December. Walker had led the organization for more than two decades.
Has her salary been made public?
Hi Ali, We don’t know how much she will make at NYPR. But we do know she made more than $500,000 in total compensation during the 2018 fiscal year, according to Chicago Public Media’s 990. We also know that Laura Walker received more than $1.1 million from NYPR during the 2018 fiscal year, according to NYPR’s 990. Thanks for reading!
Tyler
How do you pronounce Goli’s last name?
The anchor says it 12 seconds into this segment: https://www.pbs.org/video/chicago-tonight-june-16-2014-meet-chicago-public-medias-new-ceo/
I was a subscriber for years to NPR until I read in the NYTimes about Ms. Walker’s salary. In order to sign up again as a member, I need to know the approximate salary of Ms. Sheikholeslami.