Lisa Nelson-Haynes became chief program officer for StoryCorps.
Nelson-Haynes joined the organization in 2022 as managing director of program strategy and innovation. She became interim chief of programming earlier this year following the departure of Lisa V. Gale, who is now a consultant.
Before StoryCorps, Nelson-Haynes was executive director of Philadelphia Young Playwrights.
“Like so many people, I’ve been a fan of StoryCorps since they first started sharing their stories on NPR’s Morning Edition,” said Lisa Nelson-Haynes in a news release. “I’m proud to be a part of an organization that is both intentional about and responsive to our country’s need to move beyond the constant din of social media platforms and reconnect through the sharing of our humanity with our stories. Over the coming years, I look forward to helping lead the expansion of StoryCorps’ work in innovative and strategic ways, building upon our loyal public media audience.”
KEXP in Seattle announced changes to its program lineup effective Sept. 13.
Eva Walker, current KEXP variety mix and Audioasis host, will lead Early, a morning program. Walker is lead singer and guitarist for the band The Black Tones. She takes over from Gabriel Teodros, who is leaving KEXP “to spend more time on his own music and education work,” according to a news release. Kennady Quille steps in for Walker as host of Audioasis.
Separately, Vitamin D will move to a variety mix slot, and Stas THEE Boss joins the Street Sounds co-host rotation alongside DJ Yaddy. Larry Rose is also retiring from weekly on-air duties but will remain as a fill-in host.
In order to “make room for new programming,” the station has also announced the retirement of three programs: Swingin’ Doors, Friday Night and Preachin’ the Blues. Michele Myers, host of Friday Night, will move to a variety mix slot, while Johnny Horn, host of Preachin’ the Blues, will stay with the station as a fill-in host. Earlier this year, Don Yates, music director and host of Swingin’ Doors, announced his decision to retire from his role.
The new programs taking the place of Swingin’ Doors, Friday Night, and Preachin’ the Blues will focus on modern Indigenous music from around the world; music of Asia, the Pacific, and the Asian diaspora; and a cross-genre exploration of psychedelic music.
Development
Sarah Marie Thomas announced on LinkedIn that she is leaving her position as director of membership and on-air fundraising for WVIA Public Media in Pittston, Pa., to become associate director of development for the NativityMiguel School of Scranton. Thomas joined the station in 2007 as corporate development specialist and also worked as executive assistant to the board of directors before starting her leadership position in 2018. “Fifteen years ago, when I first joined WVIA, I could never have anticipated the profound impact it would have on my life,” Thomas wrote on LinkedIn. “It has been an honor and privilege to be part of this esteemed organization, contributing to its growth and success firsthand. The experiences, relationships, and lessons I have gained throughout my tenure will forever shape my career and personal development.”
Engagement
Sarah Jane Crespo said on Twitter that she’s leaving her position as director of community engagement for KMUW in Wichita, Kan., to become events and engagement manager for the Kansas Health Foundation. Crespo joined KMUW in 2010 as a development specialist and also worked as development coordinator.
Content
Kyle Gassiott became director of radio, host and reporter for Troy Public Radio in Alabama. Gassiott joined the station in 2012 as operations manager, host and producer. He has also been a host and producer for Iowa Public Radio, a freelance producer for American Public Media Group and an intern for the Washington Desk and Weekend All Things Considered for NPR.
Hannah Gross joined NJ PBS as an education reporter as part of the Report for America program. Gross will be part of the NJ Spotlight News team. Her position is partially funded by a grant from the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium. Gross most recently worked as a reporter for NBC10 Philadelphia and Telemundo 62.
Ethan Shantie became host of The Howl podcast, a co-production between North Country Public Radio in Canton, N.Y., and the Adirondack Center for Writing in Saranac Lake. The podcast will feature “true stories told live on stage by people from the community, with no notes, recorded at neighborhood venues around the region,” according to a news release. Shantie joined the station in 2018 as an announcer. In 2022, he was promoted to multiplatform content specialist and has been helping to produce the podcast North Words since it launched earlier this year.
Governance
Phil Hoffman, GM for Ball State Public Media in Muncie, Ind., was elected to the board of governors of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Central Great Lakes Chapter. He will serve a two-year term. Hoffman joined the university licensee, which operates Ball State PBS and Indiana Public Radio, in 2022 and is also assistant dean of media for Ball State University.
Fellowships
The Poynter Institute and Stand Together Fellowships announced the journalists selected for the Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship program. The program, which is in its fifth year, pays 60% of fellows’ salaries and offers journalism training. Kicking off in August, the program includes five public media journalists: Jared Brown, a reporter for KNKX in Tacoma, Wash.; Elizabeth Myong, arts access producer/reporter, KERA in Dallas and the Dallas Morning News; Sarah Stark, a producer for The Rundown Podcast at WBEZ in Chicago; Eda Uzunlar, a reporter for WSHU Public Radio in Fairfield, Conn.; and Catherine Wheeler, St. Lawrence Valley reporter for North Country Public Radio in Canton, N.Y.
The Association of Independents in Radio announced its 2023 New Voices Scholars, a five-month program that starts in August. Cohort members who currently work in public media include: Briana Rice, a reporter covering Detroit for Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor; Héctor Alejandro Arzate, immigrant communities reporter for DCist/WAMU in Washington, D.C.; Kimia Akbari, a producer for UpFront for KPFA in Berkeley, Calif.; Manola Secaira, environment and climate change reporter for CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif.; and Rasha Aridi, a producer for Science Friday.
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