Comings and goings: OPB CEO joins PBS board, NYPR announces promotions …

Rachel Smolkin, CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting, was elected to the PBS board of directors.

Smolkin joined OPB in 2024. From 2014–24, she worked for CNN and eventually became SVP of global news for CNN Digital. “Rachel brings a crucial perspective to our Board. Having led at the highest levels of national journalism and now as the head of one of our outstanding member stations, she understands both the craft and the mission,” PBS CEO Paula Kerger said in a news release. “Our Board will be stronger because of Rachel’s contributions as we navigate this critical moment for public media and the communities we serve.”

Smolkin takes the seat previously held by Mark Contreras, who retired as CEO of Connecticut Public this year. South Florida PBS CEO Dolores Fernandez Alonso separately became an at-large member of the PBS board’s executive committee due to Conteraras’ resignation.

New York Public Radio announced editorial and creative promotions.

Emily Botein was named head of WNYC Studios. She will oversee national programs, the station’s podcast arm and live events at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. She succeeds Kenya Young, who left last year to lead Louisville Public Media.

Botein first joined NYPR in 1999 as a senior producer for WNYC when she co-founded and managed the weekly show The Next Big Thing. She left the station in 2005 to work as an independent producer and rejoined WNYC in 2011 as an EP. In 2015 she became co-VP for on-demand content. She later became VP of original programming for WNYC Studios.

Stephanie Clary was named editor-in-chief of the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom and live radio teams. Clary joined NYPR in 2021 as deputy editor after working for Vice, CNN, Mic, NBC News and the Seattle Times. She succeeds Audrey Cooper, who left last year to join the Baltimore Banner.

A news release also announced the promotion of Eileen Delahunty to head of WQXR, NYPR’s classical music station.

“Stephanie, Emily and Eileen are exceptional, forward-looking leaders with deep commitment to excellence in journalism, culture and storytelling,” said CEO Christy Tanner in the news release. “As audiences increasingly engage with content across multiple platforms, we’re focused on creating experiences that connect our award-winning newsrooms, podcasts, live events and cultural partnerships. I’m excited to see the continued collaboration across NYPR as we strengthen our mission and help shape the future of public media for the next generation.”

Bethany Clevenstine Shocki became SVP of sales growth for PRX.

Clevenstine Shocki joined the organization earlier this year as SVP of marketing and partnerships. She previously worked for Soundrise, first as a VP and SVP working in marketing and partnerships.

Clevenstine Shocki was also director of marketing and creative services for Market Enginuity and held marketing positions with Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Popular Mechanics and Sunset.

In a LinkedIn post, she said she will work closely with PRX COO Jason Saldanha “to help shape and grow the PRX portfolio by identifying new shows, creators, and revenue opportunities that align with both our business goals and our mission. Content acquisition, portfolio strategy, and market positioning will become a major area of focus as we continue to evolve what PRX can offer creators, audiences, and partners.”

“This is a new challenge for me, and one that sits right at the intersection of content, audience, and revenue,” she added. “I’m looking forward to learning, building, and helping bring the next generation of great audio to PRX. Here’s to what’s next!”

Louisville Public Media hired Nicole Humphrey as VP of development.

Humphrey most recently worked as associate director of development for The Nature Conservancy’s Kentucky office in Louisville. Before that, she was development manager for Fund for the Arts.

Prior to working in the mainland U.S., she was a grants administrator for the Alexander Academy of Performing Arts in Maui, Hawaii. She was also development coordinator and later development manager for the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. She co-founded the Adaptations Dance Theater and was its executive director from 2013–18.

“Nicole is an exceptional fit for LPM for both her fundraising expertise and her deep roots in this community,” said LPM CEO Kenya Young in a news release. “She is a strategic thinker, a relationship builder, and a hands-on fundraiser with genuine passion for mission-driven work. I am excited to work with Nicole as we carry the LPM story into every room in Louisville.”

KUT Public Media in Austin, Texas, announced hires and promotions for KUT News.

Alexandra Hart became a producer for Austin Signal, a daily public affairs program. Hart most recently worked as a news anchor for Houston Public Media. From 2015–25, she was a reporter and producer for Texas Standard, which is produced by KUT. “I can’t wait to help tell the stories of the city I consider home alongside such a talented group of folks … Looking forward to this next chapter!” she said on LinkedIn.

Gabriel Velasquez Neira was hired as a breaking news reporter. Neira graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in May. He previously worked as an intern for WUSF in Tampa, Fla., and he has also been a reporter for WUFT in Gainesville, Fla.

Chelsey Zhu was promoted to engagement reporter. In her expanded role, Zhu will continue producing community-centered reporting while helping lead breaking news coverage, social storytelling and short-form video efforts, according to a news release. Zhu joined KUT in 2023 as a digital producer and has also worked on the station’s daily newsletter.

Craft in America, a nonprofit and producer of a public television series with the same name, announced leadership changes.

Ann Pifer and Robyn Hollingshead, co-executive directors of the Los Angeles–based organization, announced that they will step down June 12. They became co-leaders in January.

“Together, over the past five months, it has been our unique privilege to serve the American craft community through Craft in America,” they wrote in a letter to supporters.

Carol Sauvion has been elected as incoming board president effective June 15 to “steward the organization through its next chapter and carefully consider its future direction.”

Marketing

Anne Husted Blatt is leaving her role as director of marketing and communications for Frontline, the investigative news and public affairs series produced by GBH in Boston. Husted Blatt joined Frontline as a media and communications intern in 2014 while attending Boston University. She has also been a communications assistant, audience engagement specialist, series publicity manager, manager of public relations and communications, and associate director of publicity, communications and awards. “I have truly loved my work — it’s been easy to love, as I believe in our public media mission and recognize its importance, now more than ever,” she said in a LinkedIn post.

Fellowships

All Classical Radio in Portland, Ore., named writer and violinist Anthea Kreston as the organization’s 2026–27 artist in residence, a role that starts in July and ends next June. Kreston is the first violinist for the Delgani String Quartet and is a former member of Germany’s Artemis Quartet. She is a member of the piano quartet The Thunder Egg Consort and the host of the Oregon Symphony’s pre-concert conversations at Smith Auditorium in Salem. As part of the residency, she will lead performances for the station, curate and co-host a weekly radio program and write a blog documenting her projects. “It’s inspiring to witness how Anthea connects with audiences locally and worldwide, through her impressive and engaging work as a violinist, journalist, author, and educator,” said Kristina Becker, All Classical Radio’s communications and operations manager, who oversees the program. “We’re looking forward to supporting her projects in our studios and to sharing her voice and creative vision across our radio and digital platforms.”

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