KQED in San Francisco added two leaders to its executive management team.
Eric Abrams joined the station as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Abrams most recently worked as chief inclusion officer for the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, where he founded the school’s first Inclusion Council. He was also director of diversity initiatives for the University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business and associate director of admission at Berkeley Law.
“Eric will help us achieve our vision of a culture that centers on human dignity, equity and belonging,” said KQED CEO Michael Isip in a news release. “To truly serve all of the Bay Area’s diverse communities, KQED staff and content must reflect and fully represent our diverse communities and their experiences. This role helps ensure our accountability to make DEI central to how we serve and operate.”
David Boutry joined the station as CFO last year. He previously worked for 2K Games, a gaming subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, as SVP and head of finance. He joined the company as finance director in 1999 when it was a startup and also worked as VP of finance.
“David faced transformational challenges in helping grow 2K, including the shift of the distribution model from on-foot salespeople to an almost entirely digital business,” Isip said in the release. “His proven track record of adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic growth organization will add great value to KQED, as we continually adapt to changing technology and audience behavior.”
Dorothy McGrath was hired as COO and VP of administration for Alaska Public Media.
McGrath most recently worked as production manager for Milwaukee PBS, a station she joined in 2016. She previously worked as manager of television and community programs for KMOS in Sedalia, Mo., and was also a producer and director for Nebraska Public Media.
McGrath was chair of the National Educational Telecommunications Association Content Peer Learning Community from 2017–21.
Melinda Hoke, VP of philanthropy for TPT in St. Paul, Minn., retired from the station.
Hoke joined the station in 2013. She previously worked as director of regional development and senior officer of major and planned gifts for the Courage Center and was also senior director of major gifts for Minnesota Public Radio.
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Kendall Stewart was hired as assistant PD for Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current in St. Paul. Stewart most recently worked as PD and morning host for WCNR, a commercial station in Charlottesville, Va. Stewart joined WCNR in 2015 and also worked as music director, midday host, assistant PD and afternoon host. She held additional program and music director roles for WUMB and WXRV, both in Boston. “I’ve admired The Current ever since I started in Triple A and often looked to them for inspiration during my time in Charlottesville,” Stewart said in a news release. “The opportunity to join the team is a real honor and I can’t wait to hit the ground running! Let’s go!!!”
Priyanka Tewari was hired as Morning Edition host for WESA in Pittsburgh. She succeeds Maria Scapellato, who is retiring. Tewari most recently worked as a host for WHYY in Philadelphia. Separately, Jeremy Scott was hired as All Things Considered host, replacing Christopher Ayers, who is now an editor for WESA’s newsroom. Scott most recently worked for commercial stations in West Virginia, Alaska and Ohio, among other states.
Christopher “Monte” Belmonte joined New England Public Media in Springfield, Mass., as host and EP of a new audio program that will launch this year. Belmonte previously worked as host of Mornings with Monte for WRSI in Northampton, Mass, and will remain a part-time employee with the commercial station. Kaliis Smith, a former producer and host for WRSI, is also joining the yet-to-be named NEPM program as a digital producer.
Zach Wilson announced that he was promoted to senior producer for Up to Date, a morning public affairs program produced by KCUR in Kansas City, Mo. Wilson joined the station last year as an associate producer. He previously worked as an intern producer for Reset at WBEZ in Chicago and was a reporter and All Things Considered host for WVIK in Rock Island, Ill.
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