Public Broadcasting Atlanta Expands Executive Leadership Team
Emily Pelton and Jared Blass promoted to senior vice president roles; Aisha Rashied-Hyman named vice president of business development.
ATLANTA (4/7/2021)—Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA), home of award-winning NPR station WABE (90.1 FM NPR) and ATL PBA (PBS), today announced the appointment of Emily Pelton to Senior Vice President of Development and Jared Blass to Senior Vice President of Underwriting & Corporate Support. Additionally, PBA promoted Aishah Rashied-Hyman to Vice President of Business Development and Planning.
Pelton will continue overseeing foundation fundraising, individual giving, membership services, and on-air pledge drives. At the same time, Blass remains responsible for WABE 90.1 FM, ATL PBA, WABE.org, Live Streaming Services & PBA’s podcast division’s sponsorship sales. Rashied-Hyman will work directly with PBA CEO Jennifer Dorian to create opportunities for strategic growth for the station and its programs.
Pelton’s promotion recognizes the impact of her contributions since joining PBA in February 2020 as vice president of development. Pelton modernized and led a development team that exceeded annual fundraising goals and improved services to members in that role. She brings to PBA more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership, consulting, and strategy experience in Atlanta.
“Emily raises our game every day. She pursues excellence in our ability to rally resources for our work,” said PBA CEO Jennifer Dorian, “and she is an exemplary team leader who makes it simple for PBA’s audience and partners to support the programming that they value.”
Before arriving at PBA, Pelton held various roles at the global humanitarian organization CARE, including director of foundation fundraising, director of policy analysis, and senior director of strategy of the Public Policy department.
“Our development team is fully committed to strengthening PBA as a vital community asset committed to Atlanta and its stories,” said Pelton. “My goal is to continue to put the right talent and tools in place so that supporting journalism and collaborative storytelling is easier for our donors and partners.”
Blass moves into the SVP role after leading the PBA sponsorship team as vice president since 2015. He joined PBA as director of underwriting and corporate support in 2008. Throughout his three decades in broadcast media sales, Blass has worked with such notable brands as the Atlanta Braves and Falcons to connect fans and brands.
“After 13 years leading underwriting for PBA, Jared possesses a deep strategic understanding of sponsor needs, our valuable audience, and our unique media environment,” Dorian said. “His strength lies in making it clear how sponsoring the work of PBA aligns brands with the thoughtful, engaged audiences they seek. The work of his team is an invaluable part of what allows PBA to serve as a nonprofit news source focused on Atlanta’s stories.”
As vice president of underwriting and corporate support for PBA, Blass led efforts to educate both brands and community partners on the benefits of tapping into PBA’s audiences and how best to reach them.
“I’m focused on ensuring our underwriting team is in the best position to grow relationships and develop programs that help our partners extend their reach,” Blass said. “I’m proud to represent PBA and value the passion of my colleagues in the newsroom and beyond.”
Rashied-Hyman came to PBA in 2017 as director of individual giving. Before that, she led fundraising efforts at Georgia Public Broadcasting for 11 years as direct marketing manager, then director of On-Air Fundraising.
Most recently, Rashied-Hyman led WABE and ATL PBA annual pledge drives to record-high revenue and donor acquisition numbers and played an integral leadership role in the launch of ATL PBA Passport.
“Throughout my career in public media, I’ve been blessed with opportunities to not only create award-winning work I am proud of but also to open doors and provide pathways for diverse talent and their stories,” Hyman said. “My new role supporting development and growth for PBA means a chance to further my commitment to connecting Atlanta to the work and mission of public media.”
Rashied-Hyman, a 15-year public-media veteran, is a founding member of Public Media for All, a coalition of public media professionals dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry, and served on the PBS Kids Station Leadership Committee. In 2007 and again in 2017, her development work earned a “Special Achievement Award” from PBS.
“Aishah’s impact on public media has long extended beyond the strong results we’ve seen from her fundraising efforts,” Dorian said. “She is an inventive, collaborative leader whose deep connections in Atlanta and public media will benefit not only PBA but also our listeners, viewers, and partners. I am excited to work with her to create new growth-oriented opportunities for both WABE and ATL PBA.”
About Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA), a 501 (3)(c) nonprofit entity, operates WABE (90.1FM) Atlanta’s NPR station, PBS station ATL PBA, in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools.
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CONTACT:
Trasee Hall, Senior Marketing Manager, PBA
THall@pba.org | 847-208-5539
