Paula Kerger

Paula Kerger is an American media executive who has served as the president and chief executive officer of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) since 2006. Under her leadership, PBS has expanded its digital footprint, championed educational programming, and strengthened its role as a cornerstone of American public media. Recognized as one of the most influential figures in non-commercial broadcasting, she has been a steadfast advocate for journalistic integrity, arts education, and universal access to high-quality content.

Early life and education

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she developed an early appreciation for the arts and public service. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Baltimore, where she was actively involved in student media. She later pursued a Master of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, which provided a foundation in management and strategic planning. Her academic background combined interests in media, business, and nonprofit administration, shaping her future career path in mission-driven organizations.

Career at PBS

Prior to joining PBS, she held significant development and management roles at several prominent nonprofit institutions. She served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Educational Broadcasting Corporation, the parent organization of WNET in New York City and WLIW. In this capacity, she oversaw major fundraising campaigns and strategic operations for the flagship stations. She also held leadership positions at The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, where she managed institutional advancement and donor relations. Her extensive experience in arts administration and public media fundraising made her a compelling candidate to lead the national network.

Leadership and initiatives

Since assuming the presidency, she has launched numerous initiatives to modernize the network and reaffirm its public service mission. A key focus has been the expansion of digital and educational platforms, including the growth of the PBS Digital Studios network and the PBS LearningMedia portal, which provides free resources for K–12 teachers. She has been a vocal proponent of the PBS NewsHour and investigative series like Frontline, defending their role in a robust democracy. Under her tenure, PBS has celebrated critical and popular successes with programs like Downton Abbey, Ken Burns’s The Vietnam War, and Hamilton’s America. She has also emphasized diversity and inclusion, supporting content from creators like Henry Louis Gates Jr. and ensuring broader representation both on-screen and within the organization.

Awards and recognition

Her contributions to public media have been recognized with numerous honors and awards. She has been named multiple times to the Forbes list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" and to the Hollywood Reporter's "Women in Entertainment Power 100." She has received the Women's Media Center’s "She Made It" award and the National Association of Broadcasters' "Distinguished Service Award." Educational and cultural institutions, including Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame, have conferred honorary doctorate degrees upon her. These accolades reflect her impact on broadcasting, education, and cultural philanthropy.

Personal life

She is married to James Kerger, an attorney, and they have two children. The family resides in the Washington, D.C. area. An avid supporter of the arts, she serves on the boards of several cultural and educational organizations, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra. In her limited leisure time, she is known to enjoy reading, attending live performances, and advocating for literacy programs through partnerships with institutions like the Library of Congress.

Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:American chief executives Category:American media executives Category:PBS people Category:University of Baltimore alumni Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni Category:People from Baltimore