Stephanie Aaronson Named CPB Engagement SVP

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has appointed Stephanie Aaronson  senior vice president, engagement. In this expanded role, she will work collaboratively across the organization and the public media system to lead CPB’s efforts in the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the impact of public media, both locally and nationally, in building a strong civil society.

“Stephanie has been instrumental in CPB’s efforts to design and advance new models of audience and community engagement focused on building impactful partnerships and reaching key stakeholders,” said CPB President-CEO Patricia Harrison. “She will work closely with executives across CPB, national organizations, local stations and independent content producers to strengthen public media stations’ community engagement connected to content and CPB initiatives.”

Aaronson joined CPB in 2012 as VP, education and community impact. In this role, she was responsible for “American Graduate,” public media’s long-term commitment to help young people succeed in school, career and life, and “Veterans Coming Home,” a public media effort focused on bridging the military-civilian divide and supporting post-9/11 veterans as they transition to civilian life. In addition, she oversaw the National Center for Media Engagement.

Aaronson has over 20 years of experience in media and communications. Prior to CPB, she was senior director, communications and marketing, at PBS and PBS KIDS, where she served on the senior corporate strategy and operations teams. She also designed and led, as project executive, PBS’s “Healthy Kids Healthy Communities” initiative.

Earlier in her career, she held programming, production, public affairs, corporate communications, and marketing positions at Hallmark Channel, Lifetime Television, Discovery Communications, Rutledge Broadcasting/Court TV, and National Empowerment Television. She served on the Federal Advisory Board of the NIH Director’s Council of Public Representatives.

A native of Washington, Aaronson studied at Georgetown University and American University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from George Mason University.