Comings and goings: Sarah McCammon to leave NPR, WVTF hires chief advancement officer …

Sarah McCammon, a national political correspondent for NPR’s Washington Desk and co-host of NPR Politics Podcast, is leaving the network.

McCammon announced her job change in her Substack newsletter. “I’ll have much more to say about my next steps very soon; I promise it’s a pivot that will include writing and thinking about issues that matter,” she said.

McCammon joined NPR in 2015 as a reporter and became a national correspondent in 2018. In 2016, she was NPR’s lead political reporter covering Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and contributed to the NPR Politics Podcast. She started her most recent role on the Washington Desk in 2023.

Sally Logan Walker was hired as chief advancement officer for WVTF/Radio IQ in Roanoke, Va.

Walker succeeds Renai Bodley, who stepped down in August.

Walker most recently worked for Roanoke College. She joined the college in 2014 as director of special events and later worked as director of alumni and donor relations, director of stewardship and donor relations, and major gifts officer.

Before that, she worked as director of development for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. She has also been a coordinator and strategy specialist for Carilion Clinic.

Heather Milne Barger was promoted to CMO for KPBS in San Diego.

Barger joined the station in 2017 as director of communications and marketing. She previously worked as VP of communications for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, VP of client development and marketing manager for Cooley LLP, and executive director of the San Diego Venture Group.

“I’m honored to be KPBS’ first Chief Marketing Officer,” she said in a news release. “This has been a year unlike any I have experienced in my 30-year career. Defending public media against federal funding cuts, and ensuring KPBS not only survives but thrives, has been a challenge that has energized me through my feelings of sadness over what was lost. That’s what happens when you care very deeply about the work you do. I am grateful to be part of Team KPBS and look forward to creating a bright future for public media in San Diego.”

Content

Caleigh Wells announced on LinkedIn that she was hired as a reporter for Marketplace. Wells most recently worked as a climate reporter for the Associated Press. She reported for Marketplace from 2024–25 and previously worked for KCRW in Santa Monica, Calif., as a reporter and producer.

Monique Brooks Roberts was hired as a classical music host for Colorado Public Radio. A violinist, composer and producer, Brooks has performed with artists including Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Jill Scott and Diana Ross. She has also been a touring member of the Philadelphia String Quartet. In an interview with the station, Brooks Roberts said she aims to show listeners connections between modern popular music and classical music.

Rachel Estabrook left her position as an EP for Colorado Public Radio to become a reporter for the Portland Press Herald in Maine. Estabrook joined CPR in 2013 as a producer and reporter for the public affairs program Colorado Matters and was also news director. “I’m really excited for this next chapter of work!” she said on LinkedIn. “Thanks to all those who encouraged me and helped me on this journey.”

Fellowships

Leo Miranda was named a 2026 Tow Journalism Fellow through a program led by Frontline, produced by GBH in Boston, and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. As part of the yearlong fellowship, which is funded by The Tow Foundation, Miranda will work on projects for the nationally distributed investigative series. He most recently worked as an editorial intern for The Nation and has also been an intern for WHYY in Philadelphia.

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