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)
