Kathryn Jensen

Kathryn “Kit” Jensen serves as Chief Operating Officer of WVIZ/PBS & 90.3 WCPN ideastream. This public service multiple-media organization was founded in 2001 with a mission to strengthen communities in Northeast Ohio, and applies the power of media to education, culture and citizenship.

Previously Jensen was President and General Manager of 90.3 WCPN, Cleveland Public Radio (1987 to 2001) and prior to that, General Manager of KUAC FM/TV, licensed to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Jensen served on the Board of Directors for Public Radio International (PRI), from 1997 – 2009. She was a member of the National Public Radio (NPR) Board of Directors from 1983-1989. She co-founded the Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN) and served as an officer and director from 1978-1985.

A director of WCLV Foundation and Radio Seaway, Inc., Jensen serves on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Play House, ParkWorks, United Way Services and WVIZ/PBS & 90.3 WCPN ideastream. She was re-elected to the NPR Board in 2010. Past community board service includes the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Northeast Ohio, United Way Services, and as a mentor for the Civic Innovation Lab. She is a member of the Leadership Cleveland class of 1992.

In April 2009, Jensen was inducted into the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She is a joint recipient of the 2006 Arts Prize Cleveland for creation of the Idea Center^® at PlayhouseSquare and of the 2006 Cleveland Preservation Award for the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare. Jensen was a recipient of Northern Ohio Live Rainmakers 2002 Award, received the Leadership in Nonprofit Management Award from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations in 1999, and was the 1999 Public Radio General Manager of the Year. In 1995, Jensen was honored as first recipient of the PRI Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.