Anya Grundmann, SVP of programming and audience development for NPR, will step down at the end of the year.
Grundmann joined NPR in 1994 as an intern and has worked as a supervising editor, senior producer and EP, as well as executive director of NPR Music. She became a VP in 2015 and was promoted to the SVP role in 2018.
“After 30 years at NPR, I have decided it’s time for my next adventure,” Grundmann said in an email to staff on Monday, according to an NPR news story. She did not say what she will do next.
Eva Rodriguez was named VP and executive editor for NPR.
Rodriguez succeeds Terence Samuel, who left to become editor-in-chief for USA Today. She starts the job Sept. 11.
Rodriguez most recently worked as editor-in-chief of The Fuller Project, a nonprofit newsroom focused on women. Before that, she spent 14 years at The Washington Post in various roles, including deputy foreign editor. She was also legal affairs and Congress editor for The New York Times and was Justice Department reporter for The Wall Street Journal.
“I have loved and respected NPR since long before I thought of becoming a journalist. It is an honor to join forces with old friends and new colleagues to deliver the essential, the profound and the delightful to the millions who’ve loved NPR for years — and to millions more in the future,” Rodriguez said in a news release. “I look forward to deepening our collaboration with Member stations to produce the kind of indispensable journalism that audiences need and crave.”
NPR named Tasha Diakides EP of Newscast.
Diakides previously worked for CNN for 21 years, first as a producer for a program hosted by Wolf Blitzer. She later helped produce programs for John King and most recently worked as EP of Inside Politics. Giles Snyder, who worked as acting EP of Newscast during the search, will return to his role as an anchor.
“NPR’s journalism isn’t just international, economic and political headlines, it’s news for the way we live,” Diakides said in a newsroom memo from Eric Marrapodi, VP for news programming. “I look forward to being a part of the front lines of bringing that essential storytelling to listeners, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.”
Development
Leslie VanSant joined WAMU in Washington, D.C., as chief advancement officer. VanSant most recently worked as VP of philanthropy for the Rainforest Trust. Before that, she was a partner for Global Emergency Group, president of the Great Meadow Foundation and officer of internal communication for the American Red Cross.
Audience
Erin Adams was promoted to director of audience for Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville, N.C. Adams joined BPR in 2020 as membership manager and also worked as audience engagement and communication manager. Before that she was digital marketing manager for NTEN and held marketing and membership positions with NPR and Nashville Public Radio.
Content
Alina Hartounian joined NPR’s Newshub as supervising editor of afternoons and early evenings. Hartounian most recently worked as U.S. assignment manager for the Associated Press. She joined AP in 2007 as a newsperson and also worked as early morning supervisor and visuals editor.
Robyn Doyon-Aitken was promoted to host of Seasoned, a Connecticut Public audio program focused on food. Doyon-Aitken, co-creator of Seasoned and producer of The Faith Middleton Food Schmooze, joined the station in 2015. Seasoned will continue to air Thursdays, twice a month. “I’m excited to continue to lean into the local stories of food makers, restaurants, and farms,” said Doyon-Aitken in a news release. “I love hearing from, and elevating the voices of community members involved in the food space.” She succeeds Kristopher Plummer, known as Chef Plum, who “will move on to pursue other opportunities.”
Antonia Cereijido became host of Imperfect Paradise, a previously limited-series podcast produced by Southern California Public Radio in Pasadena that will relaunch next month as a weekly podcast and on-air program. Cereijido previously worked as EP for SCPR’s LAist Studios and helped launch the program in January 2022. Catherine Mailhouse, director of content development for LAist Studios, will serve as EP of Imperfect Paradise. Shana Naomi Krochmal, VP of podcasts for LAist Studios, will oversee day-to-day operations. “Relaunching the show as a weekly podcast and on-air broadcast with Antonia at the helm allows us to further deliver on what we know our listeners want more of: deeply-reported journalism on themes that our talented newsroom is uniquely positioned to explore,” Krochmal said in a news release.
Governance
PRX announced two appointments to its board of directors: Karla Martin, managing director and global retail luxury, fashion and apparel lead for Deloitte; and Frank Washington, CEO of Crossings TV, a cable network. Martin and Washington begin their board service in October.
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