Associate director, content, PBS Kids
PBS, Arlington, Va.
Age: 30
In three words: “Thoughtful, strategic, passionate”
What colleagues say: Catie has dedicated much of her time at PBS to ensuring that our programming best reflects our producers’ creative visions while also speaking to the varied lived experiences of the kids watching our content. This is a difficult skill that requires aplomb and grace — two qualities Catie has in spades. Catie has also led requests for proposals to find the best possible outcomes for grant-funded projects.
What Cathryn says
Decision to work in public media: Growing up in a low-income household, public media often served as my window into the larger world. I devoured everything from Arthur to Rick Steves’ Europe, Fawlty Towers and even Victor Borge’s Timeless Comedy! — all through my PBS station. When I was graduating college and looking for jobs in media, I wanted to work with kind people at a mission-driven organization. A career in public broadcasting seemed like a no-brainer!
Key accomplishments: I am so proud to have served as the development lead and production executive on a number of PBS Kids series, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Rosie’s Rules, Pinkalicious & Peterrific and Lyla in the Loop. I work with show creators and production partners to support their visions and guide creative direction from pitch to pilot and beyond.
Inspired by: The kids in my life — nieces, nephews, cousins and my friends’ children — have all been my tour guides through the world of childhood. They remind me every day what I loved at that age, what I dreamed about and what I needed to hear most.
Advice for young public media professionals: Always go the extra mile — even if an assignment doesn’t feel particularly interesting or exciting. Whether it’s reading a script or building a spreadsheet, you never know what you might learn or the impact you might make for the rest of your team. I really try to embody PBS Kids’ guiding principle — the world is full of possibilities, and so are you! — and be kind to everyone you meet!
Advice for public media leaders: Trust the instincts of your younger staff, and give them opportunities to lead where appropriate.
Profile photo: Erin Millar