Wendy Turner
About Wendy Turner
Wendy Turner serves as the General Manager of Ohio Public Media Services and has a significant background in public media management, including the establishment of Chicago Public Media's first Technology Division. She has successfully revitalized WKSU programming and has held various leadership roles at Chicago Public Media, contributing to membership growth and digital platform development.
Work at Ideastream Public Media
Wendy Turner has served as the General Manager of Ohio Public Media Services at Ideastream Public Media since 2021. In this role, she oversees the operations and strategic direction of public media services in Ohio. Her leadership focuses on enhancing local content and community engagement, ensuring that public media effectively serves the needs of its audience.
Background in Public Media
Wendy Turner has extensive experience in public media, having worked in various roles at Chicago Public Media for over a decade. She held positions such as Vice President and General Manager of Vocalo, where she directed the creation of the station's first Technology Division. Her career also includes significant contributions to WKSU, where she revitalized programming and increased membership through a focus on local news content.
Education and Expertise
Wendy Turner earned a Bachelor's degree in Theater from St. Olaf College, where she studied from 1989 to 1993. She later pursued further education at Kent State University, obtaining a Master's degree in Public Administration in 2023. Her academic background supports her expertise in managing public media organizations and implementing effective community-focused strategies.
Achievements in Membership Growth
During her tenure at WKSU, Wendy Turner implemented strategies that led to a 45% increase in membership over five years. This achievement highlights her ability to engage audiences and enhance the value of public media services. Her work in membership management at Chicago Public Media also contributed to her understanding of effective fundraising and audience development.
Professional Experience in Fundraising and Marketing
Wendy Turner has held multiple roles focused on fundraising and marketing within public media. At Chicago Public Media, she served as Director of On-Air and Online Fundraising and later as Interim VP Membership and Marketing. Her experience includes leading a transformational CRM conversion, which improved membership engagement and operational efficiency.