NYC Radio: NY Public Radio CEO Abruptly Exits

Christy Tanner is stepping down as President and CEO of New York Public Radio after less than nine months in the role. The organization announced the departure Tuesday with little explanation.

NYPR, the parent of WNYC and Classical WQXR, said three people with strong ties to the organization will form a temporary Office of the CEO while the Board conducts “a thoughtful search for NYPR’s next permanent leader.” The interim group consists of longtime media leaders and current Board members Jenna Weiss-Berman and Gary Knell, along with former President LaFontaine Oliver, who will also serve as interim acting President.

“The Board of Trustees thanks Christy for her contributions to NYPR and wishes her well,” the organization said. “We’re grateful to Jenna, Gary, and LaFontaine for taking this on,” added John Rose, Chair of the Board. “Together, they bring decades of experience in public media, journalism, and management, and deep knowledge of NYPR. We’re confident in their ability to support our staff and serve our audiences as we search for our next President and CEO.”

Christy Tanner

Weiss-Berman co-founded Pineapple Street Studios and now leads podcasts at Paper Kite Productions. Knell previously served as President and CEO of NPR, CEO of Sesame Workshop, and Chief Executive of National Geographic. Oliver, who handed the top job to Tanner in February, now chairs the Board of Public Media Infrastructure.

Tanner, who also serves on the Audacy board, oversaw WNYC-FM 93.9 and WNYC-AM 820, WNYC Studios programming, Classical WQXR-FM 105.9 and WQXW-FM 90.3, the digital news service Gothamist, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio.

The departure marks a sharp shift from Rose’s comments when Tanner’s appointment was announced earlier this year. At the time, he called her “the leader NYPR needs at this moment,” praising her “leadership, experience, and vision” and her track record of helping media organizations adapt, innovate, and grow while delivering award-winning public service.

Her exit comes amid continued instability at the organization. Oliver’s earlier tenure included more than a year of cutbacks; in September 2024, a projected $12 million budget deficit led to a second round of layoffs in a year. 

Under Tanner, NYPR expanded parts of its leadership team. In May, Ruchika Sharma was named Chief People Officer, Emily Christner became Chief Growth and Engagement Officer, and Patti Cohen was appointed Senior Vice President of Analytics, Insights and Research. In June, Emily Botein was named Head of WNYC Studios, Stephanie Clary became Editor-in-Chief of the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom and live radio teams, and Eileen Delahunty was appointed Head of WQXR.