Comings and goings: Former CPB exec lands at Milwaukee PBS, GBH GM leaves …

Beth Walsh, former VP of media strategy operations for CPB, was hired as COO of Milwaukee PBS.

Walsh worked for CPB from 2018 until December 2025. Her duties included overseeing the Next Generation Warning System, previously managed by CPB. CPB officially dissolved earlier this year.

Walsh was director of client insights at Comscore before joining CPB. She also worked for PBS from 1995–2016, including as senior director of research from 2008–16. Before that, she worked for GBH in Boston as manager of the television viewing lab.

“After years of serving local stations in my roles at PBS and CPB, I am beyond excited to join the outstanding team at Milwaukee PBS,” Walsh said in a news release. “In today’s tumultuous media landscape, Milwaukee PBS is exceptional in its high audience engagement, relevant local content, and solid operations. I am honored to support the Milwaukee area community through this role at Milwaukee PBS.”

Milwaukee PBS GM Debbie Hamlett said Walsh “brings a remarkable depth of knowledge about the public media system and the strategic insight needed to navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape.”

Liz Cheng left her position as GM of television for GBH in Boston.

Cheng is leaving to focus on nonprofit community work for the GK Fund, The Partnership, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and the United Way Massachusetts Bay. She is also a community ambassador for the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

Cheng joined GBH in 2011 as GM of the World Channel. She co-created America ReFramed, Doc World, Stories from the Stage and Local, USA. During her tenure, World won a national news and documentary Emmy, two Peabody Awards and an Alfred I duPont-Columbia honor. Two World films were also short-listed for the 2019 Academy Awards.

In addition to her work with World, Cheng was GM of stations that became part of New England Public Media. She served on the NEPM board. Before working in public media, she was VP of WCVB in Boston, a Hearst Television–owned ABC affiliate.

“I’m proud of our GBH accomplishments, whether with storytelling that makes a difference, impactful musical performances or revelatory documentaries,” Cheng said in a staff memo. “In public media, I have shared the belief that we must inspire more understanding and empathy in the world.”

Debra Turner Bailey was promoted to COO of WFAE in Charlotte, N.C.

Turner Bailey was hired by the station as chief people officer in 2022 after serving on the station’s board of directors. Her other experience includes working as global diversity officer and in human resources roles for Corning Inc. She is also a consultant and trainer for leadership development and diversity and inclusion.

“I’m excited to work with Debra in this new role,” said WFAE CEO Ju-Don Marshall in a news release. “As COO, she’ll help improve operational efficiency, strengthen our community engagement and impact, and support long-term sustainability.”

NPR promoted an editor on its Backstop team.

Kristian Monroe was promoted to managing editor of editorial review. The Backstop editors provide additional oversight for the network’s journalism.

Monroe joined the network in 2024 as deputy managing editor of editorial review. She succeeds Thomas Evans, who was promoted to editor in chief last year.

Monroe previously worked as an assistant news editor and EP for BBC News. She also held producer roles with CNN, NBC News’ Meet the Press and MSNBC’s Deadline: White House and Morning Joe.

Mark Newman is stepping down as executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations.

Newman has led the consortium of stations since 2018. He will become CEO of the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Before joining IPBS, he was executive director of Visit Indiana, VP of marketing and communications for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and COO of the Indiana Sports Corporation.

Tim Black, IPBS board chair and CEO of WNIN Tri-State Public Media in Evansville, thanked Newman for his leadership in a news release. “Mark has guided IPBS during a challenging period for public media,” Black said. “He has worked to strengthen collaboration among Indiana’s stations and to help position the system to navigate a changing funding environment. We appreciate his leadership and wish him continued success in this next chapter.”

Communications

Jason Phelps was hired as director of public affairs for the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Phelps most recently worked as senior director of external communications for PBS. He joined the network in 2022 and left earlier this month. “Recently, I wrapped up my time at PBS and said goodbye to so many wonderful people doing amazing things to keep public television strong and engaging for Viewers Like You,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “It’s an honor to be a part of the team putting together the games in Los Angeles and making sure it’s a success that benefits communities in the region while bringing pride to Americans everywhere.”

Content

Phineas Pope joined Minnesota Public Radio and MPR News as a newscaster. “Excited to be back in St. Paul,” Pope said on LinkedIn. Pope most recently worked as a host, reporter and producer for Northwest Public Broadcasting in Pullman, Wash. He has also been a part-time digital production assistant for Iowa Public Radio and a Dean Borg production intern for Iowa PBS. 

Fellowships

The Poynter Institute announced this year’s Leadership Academy for Women cohort, which will meet in St. Petersburg for training and instruction. The four public media workers among the 35 participants are:

• Alina Hartounian, supervising editor at NPR;
• Robin Kazmier, senior digital editor for Science Friday;
• Christina Monnen, science editor for Nova; and
• Lindsey Riley, assistant news director for KJZZ in Phoenix.

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