Aishah Rashied-Hyman will be the inaugural executive director of Public Media Women in Leadership.
As Rashied-Hyman assumes the role, PMWL founder Deanna Mackey, GM of KPBS in San Diego, will continue to serve as chair of the board into next year with a plan to complete her service by the end of 2025. “The board is preparing for the transition and will appoint a vice-chair by early 2025,” PMWL said in a news release.
“I could not be happier about Aishah’s selection as PMWL’s first executive director,” Mackey said in the release. “As a board, we have been planning for the succession and long-term sustainability of PMWL for more than a year. It’s critical for women in this industry that this organization thrives beyond those who founded it. Aishah will ensure PMWL’s growth and expansion for the future of women’s leadership in public media.”
Rashied-Hyman’s first day as executive director is Aug. 19. She will join the PMWL team Aug. 15 at its annual Brave Talk conference at the Public Media Development and Marketing Conference in San Diego.
“Aishah brings an unparalleled level of leadership to PMWL through her considerable history of mentorship, deep experience with the organization’s programs and most certainly fundraising,” said PMWL board member Jennifer Strachan and Greater Public CEO Joyce MacDonald in a joint statement. “Her passion and enthusiasm for both PMWL and her vision for the future is incredibly inspiring and we are certain that she is the right person to take us to the next level. She is a uniquely qualified and highly regarded leader in the public media system and we are thrilled to have her join us.”
Rashied-Hyman most recently worked as SVP of development for KERA in Dallas, which she joined in 2022. She also held development roles with both WABE in Atlanta and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
In addition, she serves on the PBS Development Advisory Committee and was a founding member of Public Media for All, a coalition promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in public media.
“I’m thrilled to join Public Media Women in Leadership, especially as a proud fellow of the inaugural CEO and COO bootcamp,” says Rashied-Hyman. “It will be a deep privilege to shape the future of public media and empower diverse voices in our vital industry. Following in the great footsteps of PMWL’s visionary founder, Deanna Mackey, is a tremendous honor.”