The University of Washington along with KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is excited to declare the selection of Tina Pamintuan as KUOW’s upcoming President and CEO, commencing Aug. 1, 2025. Pamintuan is an esteemed personality in public media, recognized for her courageous leadership and vast background as both a journalist and educator. Presently, Pamintuan holds the position of CEO at St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR), a position she began in December 2021. Since November 2020, she has been a board member of NPR and chairs its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. 

Tina PamintuanCourtesy photo by Cristina Fletes-Mach

Pamintuan brings over twenty years of experience in public media to KUOW. Prior to her role at STLPR, she was the general manager at KALW in San Francisco. While there, she facilitated the establishment of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, launched and supervised the station’s inaugural governing board, and finalized its first operating agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District. Her initiatives resulted in a five-year strategic plan and revamped the station’s local public affairs and music content to draw in a more diverse and inclusive audience. 

At St. Louis Public Radio, Pamintuan collaborated with her team to cultivate a strong and resilient workplace environment, as well as to formulate a three-year strategic blueprint. Throughout her leadership, the station achieved the highest tally of journalism accolades in its history for two consecutive years and received its largest grant. Her term culminated when the University of Missouri announced the station’s shift to an independent nonprofit organization, a transition Pamintuan had long advocated for. 

“Choosing a new leader to steer KUOW into the future was challenging. We are delighted to have discovered someone with Tina’s vision and proficiency to take charge,” commented Randy Hodgins, UW vice president of External Affairs. “Her expertise and background will empower her to guide KUOW with distinction as the station builds upon its robust tradition of delivering award-winning journalism, groundbreaking podcasts, and significant community involvement.” 

Before her role at KALW, Pamintuan founded and directed the audio journalism program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. At that institution, she provided instruction in radio news writing and reporting, news magazine production, podcasting, audio documentary production, and oral history. Many of her former students can be heard frequently on air across the public radio system and in the podcasting domain. 

Pamintuan will take over from Caryn G. Mathes, who will retire on June 2 after serving 11 years as KUOW’s leader. 

“I am privileged to become part of KUOW and am eager to collaborate with the remarkable team here,” said Pamintuan. “Together, we will enhance the station’s legacy, navigate its future direction, and seek new avenues to engage and serve our audience.” Pamintuan is dedicated to nurturing a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and accountability, ensuring KUOW continues to be an essential resource for its listeners. Her endeavors are profoundly rooted in her faith in the power of individuals and their narratives, and the ability of public media to instigate community and societal transformation. She has an established history of fostering environments where staff feel supported to excel and grow throughout every phase of their careers. 

“We have confidence that Tina is the optimal leadership choice for the future success of our station and expanding public audience,” remarked Ian Warner, KUOW Board Secretary and Chair of the search committee. Pamintuan emerged as the chosen candidate after a comprehensive, nationwide search led by a KUOW PSPR board-appointed search committee and executed by Campbell & Company. KUOW stands as the premier news station in one of the largest radio markets in the country and operates as a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington. It is licensed to the University of Washington Board of Regents, and under an agreement, the station is managed by KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, a private, non-profit organization founded in 1999 and overseen by the KUOW PSPR community board of directors. 

Kerry Swanson, KUOW’s Chief Operating Officer and a veteran leader in public media, will serve as Interim President and General Manager from June 2 until August 1, 2025. 

For further inquiries, please reach out to Michaela Gianotti Boyle, [email protected]