Ashworth Named Director, Wis. Public Radio
• Sarah Ashworth has been named as Director of Wisconsin Public Radio, beginning July 17, taking the reins from Interim Director Tom Luljak. Ashworth, who currently serves as SVP of Content at Vermont Public, will be the third woman to lead the station in its more than 100-year history.
Ashworth, who was raised in Eagan, MN, earlier served as an editor at Minnesota Public Radio and was News Director for New Hampshire Public Radio for five years. Over the course of her 25-year career Ashworth has been a fellow in leadership programs at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Columbia University and Public Media Women in Leadership and has also taught radio journalism in Russia and China.
Upon her arrival, Ashworth will report to Wisconsin Public Media Director Heather Reese and Educational Communications Board Executive Director Marta Bechtol. “The breadth of Sarah’s background — including producing, reporting and editing roles at Minnesota Public Radio, New Hampshire Public Radio and Vermont Public — combined with her experience as a leader who implemented organizational change was compelling,” said Bechtol. “Her record of collaborating with staff on big projects and her commitment to serving a statewide audience stood out.”
Reese commented, “This was a challenging decision with a very competitive field of candidates. We’re looking forward to working with Sarah and are confident that she will be a successful partner to staff and leadership as we continue to build our service for the people of Wisconsin.” WPR is a partnership of WPM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the ECB, the state agency that distributes public broadcasting in Wisconsin.”
Ashworth will succeed Tom Luljak, who retired as Vice Chancellor for University Relations & Communications at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee before taking on the role of Interim Director at WPR in 2021. He will remain on the job until Ashworth begins her work in July. “Public media is an exciting place to be right now,” Ashworth said. “The work we do strengthens communities and democracy and is needed more than ever. I look forward to working to build a strong WPR that connects even more deeply with communities and one that welcomes and represents even more Wisconsinites in its service.” [Photo credit: Daria Bishop]
