The New York Public Radio Board of Trustees has announced that Goli Sheikholeslami has been named CEO of New York Public Radio. Sheikholeslami serves as CEO of Chicago Public Media. NYPR has been searching for a new CEO since January.
New York Public Radio includes WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. Sheikholeslami takes over the position in New York after Laura Walker who had been CEO since 1996. Walker announced she’d be leaving the position last year and her contract expired in June. COO Depelsha McGruder has been interim CEO. Sheikholeslami will officially join NYPR at the beginning of October.
Under Sheikholeslami at Chicago Public Media, the group launched new digital properties and podcasts reaching audiences around the world, while nearly doubling its newsroom and increasing its focus on local coverage. Sheikholeslami has held senior leadership roles across public and private media over her extensive 25-year career, helping both legacy institutions and new players grow and thrive.
Chicago Medai Writer Robert Feder reports that Sheikholeslami is credited with helping transform WBEZ into Chicago’s premier broadcast and digital news organization. Earlier this year she was named one of the most powerful women in Chicago journalism.
“Goli has dedicated her career to helping some of the country’s most venerable media companies create new content, reach broader audiences, and identify new revenue streams – all while staying true to their core missions. She possesses deep experience integrating traditional and digital media, and she is one of the foremost leaders in the public radio system. All this makes her perfectly positioned to lead New York Public Radio’s next chapter, and continue and strengthen its commitment to excellent audio, digital, and live programming. We are thrilled to have her begin that journey,” said Mayo Stuntz, Chair, NYPR Board of Trustees.
“From its incredible coverage of everything about New York City and the region, to its commitment to classical music, to fostering groundbreaking conversations heard around the world, New York Public Radio has shown that public media can not only survive in a challenging media environment, but thrive, grow, and fill an essential void,” said Goli Sheikholeslami. “At a time when local news is in retreat, WNYC’s award-winning local news coverage remains vital and impactful. NYPR is investing in new content and new ways to reach audiences around the world. I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding team at NYPR to build on this rich legacy.”
