NPR President and CEO John Lansing formally announced Tuesday that is set to retire at the end of the year. Lansing, who took over NPR’s helm in October 2019, has agreed to stay in his current position to facilitate a smooth transition for the organization while the NPR Board of Directors conducts a national search to find his successor.
Lansing’s leadership saw him steer NPR through the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his tenure, NPR implemented its first organization-wide hybrid and remote work policies.
This is the latest in a summer string of wide-sweeping structural and managerial changes at the public broadcaster, including the merge of News and Programming into a single Content Division overseen by Edith Chapin and the hiring of Daphne Kwon as CFO.
In the release, NPR praised Lansing for his commitment to diversifying the company’s newsroom, content, and audiences. The representation of people of color in NPR’s executive team has increased from 9% in 2019 to over 40% in 2023. Moreover, the organization’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was established, further driving representation from 33% to 42% in the same period.
He also was a leading force behind the NPR Network, aimed at delivering diverse journalistic and cultural content while also growing digital audiences and memberships.
Before his role at NPR, Lansing was the CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). He also had a notable career at Scripps Networks, where he oversaw a $2.5 billion division, including Food Network, HGTV, and Travel Channel, among others.
“We have been through a lot together over the past four years, and you have made me proud every day. During the pandemic, we were there when America needed us most, reporting truthful life-saving information when disinformation was rampant,” said Lansing in a note to staff. “And we were there when America went through an overdue racial reckoning. Our journalists did remarkable work covering the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and when Russia launched its war against Ukraine. We were also there when our audiences needed joy, laughter, and connection in those moments that felt so bleak. All of you — and I mean every person working in every role at every level of this company — played a role in serving our audiences and the public interest at a time of incredible need. You should all stand proud, and it has been the honor of my career to have you as colleagues.”
NPR Board Chair Jeff Sine said, ”We are all immensely grateful to John for his principled and tenacious leadership through a turbulent time for NPR, our system, and our nation. From developing pandemic protocols to sitting alongside President Biden at this year’s White House Press Dinner, John has faced the highs and lows with grace and equanimity. He will remain in his leadership role throughout the upcoming search process as we find a worthy successor, so no time for goodbyes yet!”
