Comings and goings: NPR promotes directors, PBS North Carolina hires CDO …

NPR promoted Kristin Hume to VP of marketing and Juliet Barbara to VP of communications.

Hume most recently worked as the network’s senior director of brand and marketing, according to her LinkedIn page. She joined NPR in 2019 as director of marketing after working for The Atlantic and National Journal. 

“Kristin’s appointment positions the NPR Network to strengthen long and short-term strategies for building our audiences across podcasts, programs, and platforms,” said NPR CMO Mishka Pitter-Armand in a press release.

Barbara joined NPR last year as acting senior director of external relations, according to her LinkedIn page. She previously served as communications director for the Wikimedia Foundation.

“Public media is entering a defining period, and Juliet is the kind of leader this moment demands: thoughtful, strategic, and experienced in navigating complex institutions through change,” Heather Walls, NPR’s senior VP of communications, said in the release.

PBS North Carolina in Research Triangle Park named Marianne Monoc CDO. 

Monoc most recently served as interim CDO at Nashville PBS. Before joining Nashville PBS, she was director of development and communications at the Central Asia Institute. She also served as VP of development at WTCI in Chattanooga, Tenn., and as director of development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and Windham County Humane Society in Brattleboro, Vt.

“Marianne is exactly the kind of leader we need as we continue to build a thriving and sustainable PBS North Carolina,” said CEO David Crabtree. “She brings deep fundraising expertise, a proven track record of growing revenue and deepening donor relationships, and a passion for our mission to serve all North Carolinians.”

Cincinnati Public Radio promoted one staffer and is bidding farewell to another.

The station announced that it promoted Jennifer Merritt to VP of digital strategy and audience growth, a newly created role. Meanwhile, VP of Corporate Sales Peter Pickering retired this month.

Merritt joined the station in 2018 as digital editor for 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB. She previously worked in digital roles for legacy publications such as InStyle and Parade, as well as startups like Levo League and iVillage. In her new role, she will lead development of digital audience growth strategies, oversee key digital platforms and initiatives, and help guide Cincinnati Public Radio’s efforts to connect with listeners and supporters.

“For some time, we have recognized the need to devote additional effort, resources, and direction to the digital side of our organization,” said Cincinnati Public Radio CEO Richard Eiswerth in a news release. “As we continue implementing our strategic priorities, this role represents an important step forward. Jennifer brings the experience, vision, and leadership needed to help us reach audiences in new ways.”

Pickering led the station’s corporate sponsorships and underwriting efforts for more than a decade. In the release, he said serving Cincinnati Public Radio has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his professional life.

“The strength of Cincinnati Public Radio today reflects the dedication, talent, and commitment of the people who work here,” he said. “Since I joined in 2012, it’s their passion, creativity, and shared sense of purpose that have made this organization stronger every day.”

Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, Pa., announced two VP hires.

Emma Patti became VP of content. Patti was previously managing editor of the Baltimore Banner. She was also executive editor of Atlas Obscura and held roles with Education Week and the Baltimore Sun, according to her LinkedIn page.

Chris Johannessen joined the station as VP of product. Johannessen has held senior roles at organizations including McKinsey & Company, eBay, Omnicom, NBC Universal and General Electric. His work has been featured in publications including the Harvard Business Review and The Journal of AI, Robotics and Workplace Automation, of which he is editor. He serves on the industry advisory board of DeSales University’s Center for Data Analytics and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Penn State University. 

Content

Colorado Public Radio hired Nicole Vap as public affairs editor. “Later this month I will join the team I have listened to every day since moving to Colorado in 2000 — what a fangirl dream,” she said in a post on Substack. “… Obviously there will be much to do that week and in the coming months as CPR covers the midterm elections. And I CAN’T WAIT!” She was previously EP of content development for CBS News and director of investigative journalism for NBC affiliate KUSA-TV in Denver, according to her LinkedIn page.

Vic Vela will begin hosting Morning Edition next month on Aspen Public Radio in Colorado. Vela was previously a host for New Mexico PBS and a reporter for Colorado Public Radio. “I’ve missed public radio. And now I’m back,” he said on Bluesky.  

Joanna Strogatz became an assistant producer for Radiolab, the radio show and podcast produced by WNYC Studios. She was formerly a video podcast producer for Antfood and a contract producer for Clear+Vivid, a podcast hosted by Alan Alda. “Radiolab is the show that first inspired me to pursue audio documentary, so joining this team feels particularly meaningful,” Strogatz wrote on LinkedIn. “And just two weeks in, I’m already feeling energized by everyone’s creativity and kindness.”

Elijah de Castro became an investigative reporter covering healthcare as a Report for America corps member at WAER in Syracuse, N.Y. He previously worked as a health reporter for The Keene Sentinel in Maine. He has also been a Climate Solutions Journalism Fellow for the Solutions Journalism Network. “Looking forward to advancing WAER’s public health and health equity beat thanks to Report for America!” said WAER GM Joseph Lee on LinkedIn.

Governance

PRX announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors. They are: 

• Cynthia King Vance, former interim CEO of New York Public Radio. She has also been a leader at Hunter College, City University of New York, Newark Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education.
• John Kenny, chief strategy officer for Eversana Intouch, an AI-focused marketing company. Kenny has also been chief strategy officer for FCB Chicago and a leader at Diageo and C&R Research.
• Michael Kleeman, a senior research fellow at the University of California San Diego. Kleeman is a former senior fellow at the USC Annenberg Media Center on Communications & Policy and was an advisor to NPR on digital transformation efforts.

“PRX has always benefited from leaders who bring fresh perspectives and deep expertise,” said CEO Kerri Hoffman in a news release. “Cynthia, John, and Michael’s insights will help PRX continue to innovate, serve our partners, and build for the future.”

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