32 public media leaders graduate from national diversity program

PMDLI

SCETV and the Riley Institute have partnered to explore opportunities and challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the public media sector

As public media leaders navigate how to best foster diversity and equity in their workplaces and boards while making content inclusive for a wide array of audiences, a program is providing them with tools and perspectives that they can apply in their efforts. 

Thirty-two public media professionals from across the country were part of the third class to graduate from the Public Media Diversity Leaders Initiative (PMDLI), a program of the Riley Institute at Furman University, on June 8. It is offered in partnership with South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and modeled after the Institute's award-winning South Carolina Diversity Leaders Initiative. 

Over the course of five months, participants took part in a highly interactive curriculum comprising scenario analyses and other experiential learning tools that supports public media leaders in their efforts to apply diversity, equity, and inclusion principles to behaviors, systems and cultures within their organizations. 

Graduates of PMDLI become Public Media Diversity Fellows and will help identify future program participants. Collectively, they reflect a vast public media ecosystem, representing both television and radio as well as a variety of geographic regions, audiences, affiliate organizations and diversity dimensions. A fourth PMDLI class will start the program in September.  

Below are the graduates of the third PMDLI class. For more information about PMDLI, visit the Furman University website

Jorge Briseño
Director, Instructional TV
KLCS Public Media
Los Angeles, CA 
Bob Culkeen
President/CEO
WTCI
Chattanooga, TN
Heather Daniels-Whitson
Director of Education Media
Alabama Public Television
Birmingham, AL 
Gavin Felix
Director of Television Production
Nebraska Public Media
Lincoln, NE 
Ron Hetrick
President and CEO
WITF
Harrisburg, PA 
Dani Iannelli
Director, Immersive Learning
PBS HQ
Arlington, VA 
Rachel Knight
General Manager
Ozarks Public Broadcasting
Springfield, MO 
Katie Koskenmaki
Director of Station Relations & Communications
ITVS
San Francisco, CA 
Tony Martin
Senior Manger, Development Operations
WETA
Arlington, VA
Suzanne Masri
VP of Marketing, Communications & Engagement
Fred Rogers Productions
Pittsburgh, PA 
Thom Mayer
Director of Human Resources
South Carolina Educational Television
Columbia, SC 
Heather Mazzoni
Chief Content Officer
WHRO Public Media
Norfolk, VA
Mallory Mbalia
Director of Education
PBS NC, Education and Innovation
RTP, NC 
Carla McCabe
President and CEO
WVIA
Pittston, PA
Rachel Morrison Parsons
Senior Director, Education Strategy
NETA
Columbia, SC 
Roger Mukasa
Finance Manager
PBS Wisconsin
Madison, WI 
Tom New
President/CEO
WQLN Public Media
Erie, PA 
Staci Orlando
Assoc. GM-Operations / CFO
PBS KVIE
Sacramento, CA
Sonja Pasquantonio
VP/Human Resources, Training, and Development
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc
Hartford, CT 
Kristen Penczek
Managing Director, Audience Engagement
Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Owings Mills, MD
Molly Phillips
Executive Director and General Manager
Iowa PBS
Johnston, IA 
Stephen Schram
Executive Director - General Manager
Michigan Radio - WUOM - University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 
Julie Sochay
Senior Director of Content and Communication
WKAR Public Media
East Lansing, MI
Jayme Swain
President and CEO
VPM
Richmond, VA 
Julie Thomsen
Chief Administrative Officer
Nebraska Public Media
Lincoln, NE 
Aaron Turner
Development Director
WGVU Public Media
Grand Rapids, MI 
Brad VanOsdel
Director of Content for Entertainment
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Vermillion, SD 
Stephen Wilkins
SVP for HR and DEI
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
Washington, DC 
Susan Wolfinger Schmitt
Managing Director, Human Resources
Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Owings Mills, MD
Olivia Wong
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
American Public Television
Boston, MA
Tara Wren
Deputy Director of Education
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Jackson, MS 
Randy Wright
Executive Director
WUFT-TV/FM, FPREN
Gainesville, FL

QUOTES:
“Today’s heightened awareness of racial and other inequities in American institutions has magnified and accelerated organizational and stakeholder expectations that public media leaders establish diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values within their organizations. Recognizing that, we are proud to partner with the Riley Institute to offer this unique virtual program to our peers from across the country.”- SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett

“The Riley Institute is proud to play a role in connecting a network of public media professionals who are committed to managing, leading, and meeting the needs of increasingly diverse workers, clients, and audiences. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have in communities across the country.”- Executive Director of the Riley Institute Dr. Don Gordon


FAST FACTS:

  • Thirty-two public media professionals from across the country were part of the third class to graduate from the PMDLI.
  • PMDLI is a program of the Riley Institute at Furman University, offered in partnership with SCETV. 
  • Participants took part in a highly interactive curriculum comprising scenario analyses and other experiential learning tools.
  • Graduates of PMDLI become Public Media Diversity Fellows and will help identify future program participants.
  • A fourth PMDLI class will start the program in September.  
  • More information about PMDLI can be found on the Furman University website

About the Riley Institute at Furman University 
Furman University’s Richard W. Riley Institute advances social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond by building leadership for a diverse society, hosting expert speakers to broaden perspectives on critical issues, supporting public education, and creating knowledge through community solutions-focused research. It is committed to nonpartisanship in all it does and to a rhetoric-free, facts-based approach to change. Learn more at furman.edu/riley.

About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. Using television, radio and diverse digital properties, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning. In addition to airing local programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow, Palmetto Scene and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including By The River, Expeditions, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice and Live from Charleston Music Hall. In addition, SC Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.

Media Contact:
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org 
803-737-3337

32 public media leaders graduate from national diversity program (PDF)