RTNDA and RTNDF Appoint New Executive Directors

Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) and Foundation (RTNDF) have named new Executive Directors...and announced a name change, too!

Jane Nassiri will assume the helm at RTNDA, where she has served as VP for Finance and Administration since 2005. Kathleen Graham, currently the VP for Foundation Programs since 2005, will now lead RTNDF. Both appointments are effective upon the retirement of current RTNDA/RTNDF President Barbara Cochran on June 25, 2009. Cochran will continue to serve as President Emeritus.

Besides overseeing the financial and administrative activities of both RTNDA and RTNDF, Nassiri has also directed the RTNDA/UNITY and Murrow Awards, as well as the RTNDA annual convention and membership services. She joined RTNDA in 1998. “We look forward to forming new partnerships and reinventing the organization as we move forward in changing our name to RTDNA (Radio Television Digital News Association).”

Graham, who joined RTNDF in 1996, has been largely responsible for high school broadcast journalism programs, the U.S.-German Journalists Exchange, and diversity, scholarship and fellowship programs. She says that RTNDF will serve as a vital training source for digital journalists whose organizations have reduced training. “RTNDF will offer affordable, cutting-edge programming for digital journalists and managers to connect, learn and succeed on air and online.”

RTNDA Chair Ed Esposito said, “Jane and Kathleen know every facet of both organizations…they understand the tremendous shifts we are seeing in the industry as well as the mission and activities we need to undertake to transform RTNDA and RTNDF to meet the needs of journalists in the digital age.”

We’ll miss Barbara, but are confident in the incoming leaders Jane and Barbara!

For more information, visit the RTNDA/RTNDF website.