PRI announces new Board Chair, Deedie Rose, and appoints Betsy Hannaford to its Board of Directors

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public Radio International (PRI) has named Deedie Rose as Chair of its Board of Directors, and has appointed Betsy Hannaford to its Board. Both women have long-standing experience with both local and national boards and a personal passion for PRI's work that will be valuable as PRI fulfills its mission.

Ms. Rose is a civic leader, arts patron, collector and volunteer based in Dallas, Texas. She served on the PRI Board of Directors from 1997-2010, and was re-elected to the Board of Directors in August of 2011. She was elected as Chair of PRI's Board in June of 2014. She currently serves on the boards of not-for-profit organizations including the Dallas Museum of Art, The Trinity Trust, The Dallas Theater Center, the AT&T Performing Arts Center and Texas Christian University.  She has also served on a number of other boards including Dallas' public broadcasting station KERA. Her passion for building strong communities, her long service to PRI and advocacy for its mission qualify her to lead PRI's Board.

"PRI's efforts to create and distribute content that helps us understand our place in the world around us is vital as our global community becomes ever more interconnected. It is a privilege to work with PRI's staff and other Directors to ensure that PRI's compelling journalism continues," said Ms. Rose.

Ms. Hannaford is a community volunteer in the Twin Cities for organizations focused on story-telling and those serving others to improve communities. She says of her appointment, "I believe in supporting media and the arts because they provide an important way to understand our own and others' experiences. As a member of PRI's Board, I look forward to supporting an excellent staff in providing programming that provides information, insights and cultural experiences essential to understanding a diverse, interconnected world."

Hannaford has demonstrated her passion for cultural awareness by serving on the boards of Graywolf Press, the Stevens Square Foundation, the Breakthrough Collaborative, and the Guthrie Theater, among others.  She is the daughter of Bruce Atwater, the former CEO of General Mills who served on PRI's Board from 1991 to 1999. Her ties to Minneapolis and to PRI provide her with a unique perspective from which to evaluate opportunities and challenges PRI faces.  Hannaford is a graduate of Pomona College and NYU's School of Law.

"PRI is creating a more informed, empathetic and connected world, and the leadership of our Board is critical to our work. Deedie's deep knowledge of PRI and her constant encouragement to advance our mission provides insights and leadership that will help us succeed. Betsy's love of culture and appreciation of the ways in which Minneapolis organizations contribute positively to the world will make her an asset to PRI as we fulfill our mission," says Alisa Miller, PRI president and CEO. "I look forward to working with them as PRI extends its impact through trusted reporting."

About Public Radio International®
Public Radio International is creating a more informed, empathetic and connected world by sharing powerful stories, encouraging exploration, and connecting people and cultures. By building a deeper awareness and understanding of the world's peoples, conditions, issues and events, we help others form their own opinions, share their knowledge and creativity, and take informed actions on issues that matter to them.

Partnering with public media's most talented producers and hosts, we offer distinctly global voices on "PRI's The World®" and CBC shows like "As it Happens" and "Q with Jian Ghomeshi." We cultivate conversations representing diverse viewpoints on "The Takeaway," "To the Point," and "The Tavis Smiley Show," as well as on pri.org and through our collection of podcasts, SoundWorks from PRI.  We present voices of culture, contemporary life and artistry on "Studio 360®" from PRI and WNYC and "WireTap." PRI's content is available on almost 900 public radio stations nationwide, at www.pri.org, and through podcasts and digital platforms.

CONTACT: Julia Yager, PRI, 612.330.9231, [email protected]

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SOURCE Public Radio International