NPR Elevates Maddox To VP, DE&I

• NPR announced that Whitney Maddox has been promoted to Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I).

“Since joining us nearly three years ago, Whitney has, in many ways, changed who we are and how we see ourselves as a company,” said Keith Woods, NPR’s Chief Diversity Officer. “This promotion recognizes Whitney’s increasing influence across NPR and the larger Network and her emergent influence on the company’s direction and that of our Member stations.”

In her current role, Maddox has led twice-monthly company-wide antiracism workshops (STAR) with more than 1,000 staff members, as well as other leadership and diversity trainings to support more than 250 Member Stations across the country. Maddox also facilitates inclusion and belonging workshops across the organization for leadership and staff to help individuals and teams advance values of DE&I across the company.

“I am excited to be a part of shaping the company’s strategy for DE&I,” said Maddox. “When I started at NPR, I had the distinct opportunity to lead a two-year focus on improving the work experience of women of color. What happened as a result of that work is one of the reasons this promotion feels like a win for all women of color at NPR. I would not be the leader I am today if it were not for those women embracing me, teaching me and trusting me. I am fully aware that the reason my career has blossomed at NPR is because of my supervisor, Keith Woods. I get to learn every day from the person who paved the way for DE&I in public radio. Keith is the reason that I feel confident stepping into this VP role and he is the reason why I will succeed.”

Before joining NPR Maddox spent more than a decade at Georgetown University, where she served as the Asst. Director for Leadership Development and Racial Justice Initiatives. She also holds two Masters degrees from Georgetown — one in Journalism, the other in Communication, Culture and Technology.