Comings and goings: CPB chief of staff exits, OPB hires CFO …

Debra Sanchez, who became chief of staff for CPB in September, is leaving the corporation to become EVP of advocacy and external affairs for the National Safety Council.

Sanchez joined CPB in 2010 as SVP of education and children’s content. She has also been SVP of educational media and learning experiences, EVP of government and external affairs and acting corporate secretary. “Working at CPB has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Sanchez said on LinkedIn.

“I’ve had the privilege to work alongside extraordinary colleagues, producers, local stations and partners who believe in the power of public media to educate, connect, and strengthen our communities. Together, we’ve led efforts to create research-driven, impactful media for learning and brought trusted educational content to millions of children, families, and educators across the country.”

Oregon Public Broadcasting announced leadership changes.

Amanda Green was hired as CFO. Green most recently worked as director of finance and administration for Oregon Consumer Justice. She has also held financial roles at SMART Reading, Bitch Media, the Northwest Earth Institute and Pro-Choice Oregon. She joins OPB Dec. 5.

Gillian Flaccus was named news director. Flaccus previously worked for The Associated Press for 25 years, reporting from Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., and serving as assistant news director for the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii. She starts the OPB job Dec. 15.

Aaron Scott, who was working on an interim basis, was named executive editor of science and environment. He will continue to lead production of Oregon Field Guide and All Science. No Fiction. This is his third stint with OPB. He previously worked as a producer and reporter for programs including Timber Wars and State of Wonder. He has also hosted NPR’s science podcast Short Wave.

American Public Media promoted Thomas De Napoli to VP and head of sales and underwriting.

De Napoli joined APM in 2020 as managing director of multiplatform sales strategy and business development for APM Studios, its podcast unit. He was also chief strategy officer of APM Studios and most recently worked as VP of revenue strategy. Before joining APM, he worked for ViacomCBS, now Paramount Global, as senior director of business development and strategy.

“In an industry chasing scale at all costs, the most radical thing you can do today is to build for depth,” he said in a news release. “To serve audiences who seek out quality, truth, and real connection. That’s what unlocks the most powerful forces in media: loyalty, curiosity, and genuine engagement. It’s not just good for the mission, it’s good business.”

Jeanne Fisher, VP of radio for WXXI in Rochester, N.Y., is retiring.

Fisher’s last day as VP will be Wednesday. She will continue to produce With Heart and Voice, a weekly program featuring choral and organ music.

Fisher joined WXXI in 1996. She also hosted and produced annual Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur broadcasts and was producer of the annual A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols and Christmas with Madrigalia.

Before joining WXXI, Fisher was radio PD for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. She has also been board chair of Eastern Region Public Media and was on the boards of the Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio and the Public Radio Program Directors Association.

Engineering

PBS Reno in Nevada promoted Dustin Miller to assistant chief engineer. Miller joined the station in 2022 as a building maintenance technician and most recently worked as broadcast engineering technician. “With 13 years of experience in the engineering field and a proven track record of leadership, Miller has consistently demonstrated technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a commitment to operational efficiency,” said Bryan Carr, VP of technology in a news release. Carr added that Miller has “played a pivotal role in maintaining broadcast and building operations as well as IT tech support.”

Content

Ariel Van Cleave became managing director of audio for Chicago Public Media, overseeing programming, local audio journalism and music station Vocalo. Van Cleave first worked for Chicago Public Media from 2019–20. After working as news director for Aspen Public Radio, she returned to Chicago to work as senior editor of audio news in 2021. She was later promoted to managing editor of audio news and deputy director of strategy and operations. “I love public media so deeply and am so honored and proud that I get to be in this position, at this beloved organization, and at such an important time,” she said on LinkedIn.

Fellowships

The Online News Association announced the 2025 cohort of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator. The program includes virtual coaching, networking and a two-day in-person workshop leading into the 2026 Online News Association conference in Chicago. The public media workers selected for the program are Amory Sivertson, host/reporter of Beyond All Repair and co-host and senior producer of Endless Thread, produced by WBUR in Boston; Ellery Jones, innovations editor for Chicago Public Media; Joanie Tobin, supervising producer of digital video for GBH in Boston; and Liz Brazile, online managing editor for KUOW in Seattle.

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