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Following a nationwide search, PBS Western Reserve has named Kent, Ohio, native Natalie Pillsbury as its next president and CEO.

A two-time 5X���� alumna, Pillsbury studied in the School of Media and Journalism, earning a bachelor's degree in 2007 and a Master of Public Administration in 2023. She will begin her new role on March 20 at PBS Western Reserve. 

Pillsbury has pursued a successful career in public media. In 2015, she joined WKSU in a senior leadership role managing major gifts, grant fundraising programs and strategic planning. Since 2021, she has served Ideastream Public Media as director of strategic content initiatives, where she leads the digital content team and the multimedia journalism and production team. She has been a member of the organization’s strategic operating team and a member of the senior team in content. Other prior appointments include associate director of donor engagement and leadership giving at the University of Chicago; and annual giving officer at Women Employed in the Greater Chicago area.

In a press release announcing her appointment, Pillsbury stated, “I am thrilled and honored to accept the president and CEO position at PBS Western Reserve. I am energized by the potential for the station to grow its service and presence in our region, and I aim to build upon its excellent reputation to realize those opportunities in partnership with the staff and board.”

She added, “I believe in the power of public media to provide everyone with free access to the information and programming that they want and need — filling gaps left by shrinking commercial media outlets and countering the erosion of trust in media.”

Learn more about Kent State’s Master of Public Administration. 

Find information about Kent State’s School of Media  and Journalism.