KUSA Denver Names Jesse Ogas Executive Director Of Social Responsibility & Community Affairs

Tegna NBC affiliate KUSA Denver today appointed Jesse Ogas executive director of social responsibility and community affairs, effective Oct. 1. In this newly created position, Ogas will lead community engagement, manage station partnerships and champion inclusivity. He will report to KUSA president-GM Mark Cornetta and be a key part of the station’s executive leadership team.

Ogas will play a strategic role in supporting and championing diversity, equity and inclusion, working with our leaders and teams to build on the inclusive journalism program launched earlier this year. He will also regularly engage with external community leaders and groups to ensure the work KUSA does reflects its audiences, including underrepresented communities in Colorado.

Ogas will also re-envision the station’s 9Listens program and audience engagement efforts to receive feedback more regularly from the community. He will also develop plans to provide support for community issues through grants and fundraising for nonprofits.

“We are delighted to have a leader of Jesse’s caliber join the 9NEWS team,” Cornetta said. “His leadership, experience and community relationships make him the perfect person for this role. Earlier this year, we celebrated Jesse as our ‘9NEWS Lead of the Year’ for his work as executive director of Firefly Autism where he increased access to medical care for all communities by bridging language and cultural gaps. We are proud to welcome him to 9NEWS.”