NPR President and CEO Gary E. Knell plans to leave this fall to become president and CEO of the National Geographic Society.
“Gary and the management team have worked effectively to strengthen NPR as a world-class media organization, technological innovator and industry leader,” said Kit Jensen, chair of the board. “NPR has built a firm foundation for providing the highest quality journalism and programming. We will be working closely with Gary over the next few months and deeply appreciate the lasting impact he has made.”
“NPR is and will always be a beacon of journalistic integrity, commitment and courage,” Knell said in a letter to employees.
Knell has held his role with NPR since 2011, during which time he and the leadership team have been developing a strategic plan to engage the news organization’s network of member stations, generate crossplatform journalism and programming, find new sources of philanthropic and corporate underwriting support and attract new audiences, a release said.