Comings and goings: PBS appoints chief legal officer, NPR journalists announce departures …

PBS promoted Jill Patrone to chief legal officer and corporate secretary.

Patrone joined PBS in 2000 as assistant general counsel. She has also been associate general counsel and labor and employment counsel, managing corporate counsel, VP and deputy general counsel and most recently acting chief legal officer.

Patrone succeeds Katherine Lauderdale, who will become chief legal officer emerita and senior advisor to the CEO. Lauderdale joined PBS in 2002 after working as SVP of strategic partnerships and general counsel for WTTW in Chicago. At PBS, Lauderdale was also SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary.

“There has never been a more critical time for PBS to have strong, experienced legal counsel,” said PBS CEO Paula Kerger in a news release. “Jill has been a trusted partner across every aspect of PBS for 26 years. She knows our system, she knows our mission, and she knows what’s at stake. I am also deeply grateful to Katherine Lauderdale, whose extraordinary stewardship for more than two decades helped build the excellent foundation PBS stands on today.”

“It’s an extraordinary honor to step into this role at PBS,” Patrone said in a news release. “I am especially grateful to Katherine Lauderdale, whose leadership, integrity, and commitment over more than two decades helped shape both the legal department and PBS itself. I look forward to working with my PBS colleagues as we continue advancing our mission in a rapidly evolving environment.”

Two NPR reporters announced that they were among the employees laid off last month.

Climate Correspondent Jeff Brady said on LinkedIn that he was “adjusting to this change and exploring a business plan to bring high quality, nonprofit journalism to the Philadelphia suburbs.” Brady joined the network in 2003 after working as a reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Finance Correspondent Maria Aspan said on LinkedIn that she was “grateful to have spent two years learning audio storytelling, podcasting, and live broadcasting — and how fun they are! — from some wonderful colleagues and friends.” Aspan joined NPR in 2024 after working as a senior features writer for Fortune magazine. She has also worked for Inc. magazine, Reuters and American Banker.

Content

Chloe Prasinos became a senior story editor for Inheriting, a program about Asian American and Pacific Islander families produced by LAist in Los Angeles. Prasinos said on LinkedIn that the upcoming second season is about immigration. “I can’t wait to share these stories,” she said. “They feel more urgent with each passing day.” Prasinos has produced programs for The New Yorker, Pineapple Street Media, Gimlet and Marvel Comics.

Daniel Potter was hired as a news editor for Nashville Public Radio. Potter joined the station in 2008 as an intern and was also a reporter and substitute host until 2014. After freelancing and contract producing for outlets including KQED and The New York Times, he returned to Nashville Public Radio in 2024 as a contract editor, substitute host and fact-checker. “I’m excited to have this opportunity [to] learn more from them, to stay curious, and to help tell stories in meaningful ways that connect and inform our neighbors,” Potter said on LinkedIn.

Emma Stadelmann was hired as afternoon host and digital content producer for the classical service of Michigan’s Interlochen Public Radio. She previously worked as a part-time host of jazz and classical music programs for KCCK in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Emma is an experienced radio host who brings a great amount of knowledge to this role,” said IPR’s Music Director Amanda Sewell in a news release. “She is thoughtful and creative, and we can’t wait to see what fresh ideas and innovations she brings to Classical IPR’s service.”

Elena Neale-Sacks, a California Local News Fellow for KAZU in Pacific Grove, is leaving the station. Neale-Sacks joined KAZU in 2024 as a freelance reporter and producer. Before that, they were a contract podcast producer for The Oregonian and a part-time data researcher for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. I have grown so much as a journalist and as a human in these last few years,” they said on LinkedIn. “To the longtime sources who have endured my repeated pestering, and to those who have opened up corners of your lives to me—thank you so much, talking to you is one of my greatest joys in this work. I have an exciting next chapter coming up soon a little farther north, but for the next several days I’ll be soaking up all the beauty of the Monterey Bay area 🌊.”

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