Comings and goings: NPR’s Asma Khalid heads to BBC, network appoints AI VP …

Asma Khalid is leaving her positions as a White House correspondent for NPR and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast.

Khalid announced on LinkedIn that she will co-host a daily podcast for the BBC, The Global Story, alongside former Al Jazeera journalist Tristan Redman. The program will launch Sept. 3.

“It’s the type of show I deeply believe ought to exist in our world at this moment! And I’m thrilled to help build it,” she wrote.

Khalid has worked in public media since 2007, first as a producer for NPR’s Morning Edition. Other positions include senior reporter and editor for WBUR in Boston. She has co-hosted the NPR Politics Podcast since 2018 and became a White House correspondent in 2021.

“I’m so grateful for all the years at NPR and WBUR,” she said on LinkedIn. “And it’s bittersweet to be sharing this news on the heels of the vote to clawback funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If you’re not a member of your local public radio station, please consider joining.”

NPR named Erica Osher VP of AI Labs.

The network’s AI Labs has been charged with co-writing NPR’s AI guidelines and developing pilot programs. In the new role, according to a news release, Osher will oversee the organization’s AI strategy “as a business leader driving NPR’s exploration of opportunities related to artificial intelligence. She’ll be charged with developing and leading programs that build trust, augment NPR team capacities, and innovate with emerging AI tools in support of NPR’s public service mission.”

Osher has worked as interim GM of AI Labs since December. She has also held several roles with National Public Media, which handles corporate sponsorship sales for NPR and stations, including VP of sponsorship products. She also led the NPM Creative team, an in-house creative agency.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” Osher said in a news release. “I’m a lifelong NPR fan, and all of my prior work at NPM has been done with the aim of supporting NPR’s public service mission. Our people and principles are this organization’s greatest assets. We’re at a transformational moment for technology and for journalism, and I’m eager to explore AI solutions that reinforce our values, maintain trust among audiences, and strengthen NPR’s ability to innovate.”

Radio Milwaukee announced hires.

Maggie Corry was hired as the station’s deputy executive director. Corry previously worked for Radio Milwaukee from 2016–22 as membership manager, then development director. She most recently worked as a consultant for Spectrum Nonprofit Services, based in Milwaukee.

Jon Adler was hired as an assistant PD and will work as weekday evening host. He will also host the request show Let’s Hear It! Saturdays before noon. Adler most recently worked as a morning show host for commercial radio station WLUM in Milwaukee, where he had been since 2006.

“The additions of Jon and Maggie clearly strengthen our leadership team and will further drive our community-focused storytelling and programming,” said Radio Milwaukee Executive Director Jordan Lee in a news release. “Even better, both Jon and Maggie are well-known and committed to Milwaukee, and the diverse and growing audience we serve through 88Nine and HYFIN.”

Paragon Media Strategies hired two consultants.

Briana O’Higgins was hired as an organizational insights consultant. O’Higgins will continue to work as a consultant for Greater Public.

She previously worked for North Texas Public Broadcasting, which operates KXT and KERA in Dallas, as SVP of audience and content and initially as chief of staff. O’Higgins has also been director of digital and audience development for KCUR in Kansas City, Mo.; a web producer and reporter for KMUW in Wichita, Kan.; a producer and host for KUSP in Santa Cruz., Calif.; and an operations assistant for WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Mikel Ellcessor was hired as an on-air fundraising consultant, though he will continue to operate his independent content and coaching consultancy, Limina House.

Ellcessor previously worked as VP of special projects and business development for New York Public Radio and was also senior director of programming, operations and distribution for WNYC as co-creator of Radiolab.

He has also been head of strategy and partnerships for The On Being Project, GM of WDET in Detroit, executive director of Radio Milwaukee and assistant GM and PD at WYEP in Pittsburgh.

Content

NPR newscaster Jack Speer is retiring. He joined NPR in 1997 as a business correspondent and became an anchor in 2007. All Things Considered celebrated Speer’s tenure with the network earlier this month. “I’m going to miss the pace, I’m sure,” Speer said. “I think I’ll miss a lot of the deadline pressures that I’ve grown very accustomed to over all this time. There are things that I really am interested in doing that I can’t do if I continue to do what I’m doing.” Speer will continue to work as an adjunct instructor for Johns Hopkins University, where he has taught business communications and ethics since 2014.

Brad Fay is retiring from his position as director of content and services for Southern Oregon PBS in Medford. Fay joined the station in 2005 and was interim CEO in 2021 and 2022. He previously worked as director of programming and education for KIXE PBS in Redding, Calif., and as a pledge producer for KQED in San Francisco. He has also worked as a producer and director for TV station KHSL, an ABC affiliate in Chico, Calif.

Andrea Vestrand was hired as manager of television production for New Mexico PBS. Vestrand most recently worked as a freelance filmmaker and was previously a senior operations manager for Netflix. She has also been a virtual production training specialist for Disguise in Los Angeles and a business development account executive for the Production Resource Group. “It’s an honor to contribute to such a respected institution and to help shape meaningful content that reflects the diverse voices and vibrant culture of New Mexico,” she said in a news release. 

Christopher G. Johnson became a weekend morning host for Michigan Public. Johnson joined the station in 2022 as a journalist and will be scaling back his duties.. “This role is a true joy and a natural fit,” he said on LinkedIn. “Being behind the mic is where I’m most at home, whether I’m leading a conference on Zoom, interviewing an author, or guiding listeners through their morning.” Johnson will focus on working as an event producer for his company, Calm Clear Communications.

Send news of “comings and goings” to people@current.org