Meredith Artley will lead Hawaiʻi Public Radio as president and CEO beginning next month, the station announced Tuesday.
Artley is the former editor-in-chief and SVP of CNN Digital Worldwide. Her first day is Aug. 12.
José Fajardo will step down as president and GM July 31. He announced earlier this year that he would step down because he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease in 2021.
“I will continue to make myself available during this leadership transition,” Fajardo said in a press release. “While I will miss public radio, a passion of mine for many years, I rest easy knowing Meredith will do an excellent job with moving HPR forward to represent and serve our members, listeners and our community at large.”
Artley most recently served as executive-in-residence and interim executive director of the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Honolulu.
“As a listener, supporter, and fan for more than two decades, I’m delighted and deeply honored to lead HPR,” Artley said in the release. “HPR is such a vital service for all of Hawai’i, providing essential information, inspiration, and new perspectives. I look forward to expanding HPR’s community of supporters and listeners, and building on the strong foundation that José and the talented team have created.”
The station’s board worked with Livingston Associates on the search.
“HPR’s Board of Directors is delighted to welcome someone of Meredith’s experience and talents to continue HPR’s remarkable growth in serving our communities across the Islands and beyond our shores,” said Kathryn Matayoshi, HPR board chair, in the release. “We’re excited to see how her outstanding experience in the digital world can enhance HPR’s strong local connections and expand the station’s outreach and influence.”