Chicago Radio: Andi McDaniel Named CEO At Chicago Public Media

Andi McDaniel, a public media executive with a record of expanding local journalism and audience, will join Chicago Public Media this fall as its new CEO, leading WBEZ, Vocalo and the podcast unit.

McDaniel, 39, has served as chief content officer at WAMU, the NPR-member station in Washington, D.C. The CPM board of directors unanimously voted her in on Tuesday and McDaniel starts at the end of September, following her maternity leave.

Andi McDaniel

While at WAMU, McDaniel led the development of the NPR show 1A, which WBEZ’s Jenn White will take over in July. McDaniel expanded the audience at WAMU, which now frequently ranks as the most listened to news station in the D.C. area. Revenue also grew under her leadership from $25 million to $40 million. And she established a new podcast division.

WBEZ reports McDaniel said listening to This American Life in college drew her into public radio. She said coming back to the area she grew up in, and leading a station she considers iconic in the public radio sphere, was irresistible.

“It’s a station that is innovating and setting a new bar and has an incredibly strong foundation that I can build on,” said McDaniel, a graduate of the University of California-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She received her bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, where she studied English and Spanish.

McDaniel replaces Goli Sheikholeslami, who left CPM last year to run WNYC in New York City.

“The board is unanimous in its belief that Andi is the right person to lead Chicago Public Media as we continue to deliver high-quality, in-depth journalism and innovative original programming,” said Bryan Traubert, CPM board chair.