Soenen Named COO Of AMPERS
• Kimberly Soenen has joined AMPERS (Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations) as the organization’s inaugural Chief Operating Officer (COO), serving as second-in-command of AMPERS, an association of 18 community radio stations throughout Minnesota and is the largest statewide association of community radio stations in the United States.
In making the announcement of Soenen’s hire, AMPERS CEO Joel Glaser said, “As commercial and non-commercial radio stations around the country continue to announce layoffs and cutbacks it’s incredibly exciting to share that we are expanding. We’re lucky to live in a state that recognizes the importance of community radio, local storytelling, as well as reaching and supporting underserved communities.”
“AMPERS is uniquely positioned now to build our capacity and reach,” said Soenen. “The staff members, contributors, and volunteers at our member stations have deep cross-generational ties to their communities. That connection to truly local audiences is the marrow of high-quality journalism and storytelling and, most importantly, accountability and transparency. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our journalism allies statewide on talent development and broadening our journalism co-publishing partnerships in the years ahead.”
Soenen most recently served as the Director of Global Business Development and Special Projects for VII Photo Agency/Foundation in New York. From 1999 to 2024 she owned UNSPUN Consulting and Productions serving film, narrative, reportage, theatre, broadcast, and investigative reporting clients. Soenen is also the founder and former Executive Director of “SOME PEOPLE,” which examines the people, processes, and systems that constitute the maintenance of, and barriers to, health. Earlier in her career, Soenen worked for Harper’s Magazine in New York, NPR in Washington, D.C., and Kartemquin Films in Chicago.
