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April 14, 2025

Tina Pamintuan selected as next president and CEO of KUOW

The University of Washington and KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio are pleased to announce the appointment of Tina Pamintuan as KUOW’s next President and CEO, effective Aug. 1, 2025. Pamintuan is a distinguished figure in public media, known for her bold leadership and extensive experience as a journalist and educator. Pamintuan currently serves as the CEO of St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR), a role she assumed in December 2021. She has been an NPR Board member since November 2020 and chairs its DEI committee. 

With a career in public media spanning over two decades, Pamintuan brings a wealth of experience and leadership to KUOW.  Before joining STLPR, she was the general manager at KALW in San Francisco. During her time there, she oversaw the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, launched and managed the station’s first governing board, and negotiated its inaugural operating agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District.  Her efforts led to a five-year strategic business plan and helped reinvent the station’s local public affairs and music programming to attract a more inclusive and diverse audience. 

At St. Louis Public Radio, Pamintuan partnered with her staff to create a strong and resilient workplace culture and to develop a three-year strategic plan. During her tenure, the station won the highest number of journalism awards in its history two years in a row and was also awarded its largest grant. Her tenure culminated in the University of Missouri’s announcement that the station would transition into an independent nonprofit, a move Pamintuan had long advocated for. 

 “Selecting a new leader to guide KUOW into the future was no easy task. We are thrilled to have found someone of Tina’s vision and expertise to take the helm,” said Randy Hodgins, UW vice president of External Affairs. “Her skills and experience will allow her to lead KUOW with excellence as the station builds on its strong tradition of producing award-winning journalism, innovative podcasts, and strong community engagement.” 

Prior to her leadership 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. There, she taught courses in radio news writing and reporting, news magazine production, podcasting, audio documentary, and oral history. Her former students are regularly heard on air across the public radio system and podcasting worlds. 

Pamintuan will succeed Caryn G. Mathes, who is retiring on June 2 after 11 years at KUOW’s helm.  

“I am honored to join KUOW and look forward to working with the exceptional team here,” Pamintuan said. “Together, we will build on the station’s legacy, chart its future course, and explore new opportunities to serve and engage our audience.” Pamintuan is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and accountability ensuring that KUOW remains a vital resource for listeners. Pamintuan’s work is deeply rooted in her belief in the power of people and their stories, and the ability of public media to foster community and societal change. She has a proven track record of creating environments where staff are supported to do their best work and continue growing at every stage of their careers. 

“We are confident that Tina is the right leadership choice for the future of our station and growing public audience,” said Ian Warner, KUOW Board Secretary and Chair of the search committee. Pamintuan was selected following an exhaustive, nationwide search led by a KUOW PSPR board-appointed search committee and executed by Campbell & Company. KUOW is the top news station in one of the country’s largest radio markets and is a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington.  It is licensed to the University of Washington Board of Regents. Under an agreement, the station is managed by KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, a private, non-profit corporation established in 1999 and governed by the KUOW PSPR community board of directors.  

Kerry Swanson, KUOW’s Chief Operating Officer, and long-time public media leader, will act as Interim President and General Manager, from June 2 through August 1, 2025.  

For more information, please contact Michaela Gianotti Boyle, michaela@kuow.org