Josh King was appointed head of philanthropic ventures for NPR. His first day will be April 11, according to a staff memo shared by CDO Leora Hanser.
King most recently worked as VP of corporate sponsorships for National Geographic. He has also been a VP of sales and marketing for XM Satellite Radio, a VP for Discovery Communications and an executive director for AOL.
“Josh will lead our efforts to develop new streams of revenue, working closely with [National Public Media] and developing impactful communications with the new Philanthropic Ventures team,” Hanser wrote.
Wonbo Woo will be EP for The Takeaway, produced by New York Public Radio.
WNYC CCO Andrew Golis and Melissa Harris-Perry, host and managing editor for The Takeaway, selected Woo for the position, according to a news release. Woo’s first day is April 29.
Woo previously worked as EP for Wired and was a producer for NBC Nightly News and ABC’s Nightline and World News Tonight. He was also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 2016, co-director of the college media project at the Poynter Institute and interim EP for Food52.
Brendan Leonard was named CFO for Vermont Public Radio/Vermont PBS.
Leonard most recently worked as VP and CFO for the YMCA of Greater Burlington in Vermont, where he oversaw construction of a new facility. He has also been a senior consultant for Stevens Strategy.
“Brendan’s experience in nonprofit financial management will be key as we continue to build our new, combined organization,” said Scott Finn, CEO of VPR/Vermont PBS, in a news release. “Additionally, he has a strong reputation for building teams and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to our value of inclusiveness.”
Engagement
New York Public Radio hired George Bodarky as community partnerships and training editor, a new position. Bodarky will lead a training program for audio and digital platforms, according to a news release, and will work with producer Carolina Hidalgo on the station’s Radio Rookies program. His first day is April 18. Bodarky most recently worked as senior director of content strategy and student development for WFUV in New York City. He joined the station in 2001 as a host and later became news director.
Content
Stacey Vanek Smith is leaving her position as host of The Indicator, a podcast produced by NPR’s Planet Money. On Twitter, Smith said she will be working on a special project for Planet Money to be announced later. Smith joined NPR in 2014 and has been a host and correspondent for Planet Money. She was also a reporter and fill-in host for Marketplace.
Betsy Braun joined WHYY in Philadelphia as director of programming. Braun most recently worked as a media consultant for a firm she founded. She previously worked as director of programming and communications for Boston ABC affiliate WCVB, as VP of programming and development for NBCUniversal and as director of programming for Telepictures, a Warner Bros. subsidiary.
Jen Carlson announced that she left her position as an editor for New York Public Radio’s Gothamist. “I think we made something special for New Yorkers … so much love, passion & work went into it all,” Carlson said on Twitter. “I’ll announce my next move in a couple weeks.” Carlson joined Gothamist in 2004, two years after its launch, and has worked as art and entertainment editor, deputy editor and editorial director. NYPR acquired Gothamist in 2018.
Nereida Moreno will join WBEZ’s education desk in May. Moreno began at the Chicago station in 2018 and has been a producer for Reset and The Morning Shift.
Ayisha Jaffer was hired as an evening host for Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current in St. Paul. Jaffer, who starts the job the week of April 18, most recently worked as midday host and assistant PD for WNXP, a Nashville Public Radio music station. She joined WNXP last year after working as a host and promotions coordinator for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee.
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