New York Public Radio CEO Christy Tanner steps down after eight months
The parent of WNYC, WQXR and Gothamist named a three-person interim Office of the CEO, including former chief LaFontaine Oliver and ex-NPR head Gary Knell.
Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
- New York Public Radio said Tuesday that president and CEO Christy Tanner is stepping down, about eight months after she started in February.
- NYPR gave no reason for the exit. A temporary Office of the CEO will run the organization: LaFontaine Oliver (also interim acting president), Jenna Weiss-Berman and Gary Knell.
- The board will search for a permanent leader, chair John Rose said.
- NYPR runs WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio and the Greene Space, with an annual budget above $78 million, Gothamist reported.
- The departure follows the shutdown of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and years of deficits, including a 7% staff cut in 2025.
Christy Tanner is stepping down as president and CEO of New York Public Radio after roughly eight months in the job, the nonprofit announced Tuesday. NYPR owns WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio and the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space.
The organization did not give a reason for her departure, Gothamist reported. The board's statement thanked Tanner for her contributions and wished her well. In a note to staff quoted by Gothamist, Tanner said she was proud of the work done during her tenure and would share her next move soon.
Who is in charge now
A temporary three-person Office of the CEO will lead NYPR while the board searches for a permanent chief, according to the organization's release:
- LaFontaine Oliver, Tanner's predecessor, who will also serve as interim acting president. He now chairs the board of Public Media Infrastructure.
- Jenna Weiss-Berman, a co-founder of Pineapple Street Studios who leads podcasts at Paper Kite Productions and sits on the NYPR board.
- Gary Knell, a board member and former head of NPR, Sesame Workshop and National Geographic.
Board chair John Rose said the trio brings decades of public-media and management experience and "deep knowledge of NYPR." The release said newsroom and programming staff would keep working as usual during the transition.
A short, turbulent tenure
Tanner arrived in February from a corporate and digital media career that included running CBS News Digital and TV Guide Digital, RadioInsight reported. She took over shortly after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting shut down following federal funding cuts, Gothamist noted.
Her first months saw several senior departures, including the chief operating and financial officer, the head of communications and the chief development officer, according to Gothamist. She started a strategic planning process in July. NYPR has been working through a $9.3 million deficit and cut 7% of its workforce in 2025, and its annual budget tops $78 million, Gothamist reported, citing public filings.
Oliver led NYPR for three years before stepping aside as CEO in July 2025 and becoming executive chair. Gothamist, which is owned by NYPR, said its story was not reviewed by company executives before publication.
- GothamistNew York Public Radio CEO steps down after 8 months on job
- New York Public Radio via PR NewswireNew York Public Radio Announces Leadership Transition
- RadioInsightNew York Public Radio President/CEO Christy Tanner Steps Down After Just Eight Months
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