Peer Learning Communities

The NETA Peer Learning Communities (PLC) help members' staff increase skills, collegiality, and long-term commitment to public media's education mission. PLCs connect members and provide a space for sharing best practices, developing professional support networks, and identifying high-impact projects that members could jointly pursue.

"Being part of the Content PLC offers me the valuable opportunity to regularly connect with other leaders from across the public media system. Collaborating to plan professional development opportunities and brainstorm solutions to common challenges has been especially rewarding. The collective work of our agencies demonstrates the true power of public media, and the Content PLC is great evidence of this."

- Matt Grimm, director of production, KET (Content PLC)

“I’m honored to be part of the MarCom Peer Learning Community for NETA. The PLC creates a valuable space for public media professionals to share best practices, learn from one another, and strengthen our collective impact. Through collaboration and peer support, this work helps elevate marketing and communications strategies across stations while reinforcing our shared commitment to public media’s education mission and long-term sustainability.”

- Landon Masters, chief public information officer, South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (MarCom PLC)

“Being part of the NETA Community Engagement PLC has been deeply rewarding. I appreciate the opportunity to problem-solve alongside colleagues, learn from diverse perspectives, and help shape thoughtful, community-centered responses.”

- Andrea Quijada, manager of education & outreach, New Mexico PBS (Comm Eng PLC)

"Being part of the Education PLC connects me to colleagues who challenge my thinking and strengthen my leadership. It is a space where we do more than share ideas. We examine practice, solve real challenges, and shape stronger approaches to learning across our communities. Collaboration in this group moves from conversation to action, and that collective work directly impacts the educators and families we serve."

- Arionna Ralleigh, director of school partnerships, Nine PBS (Education PLC)

"The Cyber PLC is the one place where public media stations can coordinate on threats, best practices, and rapid response to incidents. It's helped us all stop multiple attacks before they spread. I always recommend every station get involved with the Cyber PLC."

- Chris Ostertag, chief technology officer, Austin PBS (Cyber PLC)

Join your community!

Most NETA PLCs have a member-elected executive committee consisting of a chair, vice-chair, members-at-large, and a NETA staff liaison. All staff from NETA Member stations are welcome to join the PLC(s) that best fits their role(s) in public media.

Current PLCs include Community Engagement, Content, Cyber, Education, MarCom, and Public Media Innovators. Use the links below to enroll in your chosen PLC(s) on Public Media Learns, or contact the NETA liaison for the PLC(s) you choose to join.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Member-at-Large • Lorena Aguayo-Marquez, community impact manager, WGVU Public Media
Member-at-Large • Caryline Clark, engagement manager, Iowa PBS
Member-at-Large • Desiree Gutierrez, sr. director, impact & partnerships, PBS SoCal
Member-at-Large • Nathan Hofer, director of community impact, South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Member-at-Large • Amy Labenski, executive director, WETA national productions, WETA
Member-at-Large • Andrea Quijada, education & outreach manager, New Mexico PBS
Member-at-Large • Sarah Sykes, assistant director, events & communications, WOSU Public Media
Member-at-Large • Amanda Densmore, director of community engagement, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Member-at-Large • Madison Hensley, community engagement specialist for education, WFYI Public Media
Member-at-Large • Morgan Keating, community engagement manager, Idaho Public Television
Member-at-Large • Kristin Pederson, vice president, lifelong learning, Twin Cities PBS
Member-at-Large • Gabby Sanchez, community engagement specialist, Ocean State Media
Member-at-Large • Gianna Tripodi-Bhise, director, foundation & corporate relations & events, WHYY
NETA Liaison • Maria Rodillo

Join the Community Engagement PLC on Public Media Learns and the Facebook Group

CONTENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair • Tabitha Safdi, senior director of audio & digital operations, South Carolina ETV
Vice Chair • Ashlee Smith, senior director of content & education, WKAR Public Media
Member at Large • Brenda Bowyer, senior producer/director, PBS Michiana - WNIT
Member at Large • Emily Compton, executive producer, WTCI PBS
Member at Large • Dani Cook, senior director, station relations national productions, WETA
Member at Large • Matt Grimm, director of production, KET
Member at Large • Allison Rieff, documentary producer, Alabama Public Television
Member at Large • Fujio Watanabe, manager of media production, Houston Public Media
Member at Large • Carol Yancho, senior director of content, Arizona PBS
Member-at-Large • Daniel Bergin, executive producer/director of history, Twin Cities PBS
Member-at-Large • Kaelin Hagler, manager of post-production & content, CET/Think TV
Member-at-Large • Eleanor Hong, managing director of digital content & operations, Maryland Public Television
NETA Liaison • Bob Petts

Join the Content PLC on Public Media Learns and the Facebook Group

CYBER PLC

The Cyber PLC is open to NETA Members' cybersecurity professionals – The Few, The Proud, The Paranoid. This PLC is a space for public media security professionals to ask questions, share information, and gain insights while developing a support network of peers across the system.

Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM ET.

Chair • Tim McLellan, senior security analyst, GBH
Vice Chair • Aaron Schaad, ITS director, Nebraska Public Media
Past Chair • Ian MacSpadden, chief technology officer, AZPM
Member-at-Large • SeVern Ashes, director of engineering & operations, South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Member-at-Large • Robyn Hazen, web marketing specialist, Arizona PBS
Member-at-Large • Chris Manley, director of engineering, WEDU PBS
Member-at-Large • Chris Ostertag, chief technology officer, Austin PBS
NETA Liaison • Heather Hankins

Fill out this form to join the Cyber PLC on Public Media Learns

EDUCATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair • Arionna Ralleigh, director of school partnerships, Nine PBS
Vice Chair • Salandra Bowman, chief learning officer, South Carolina ETV
Past Chair • Cathy Cook, director of education, WQED
Member at Large • Laura Evans, director of education, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Member at Large • Amy Grant, director of education, KET
Member at Large • Katie Hessen, senior STEM content specialist, Twin Cities PBS
Member at Large • Brieanna Moreno, director of education, WSKG
Member at Large • Lisa Ann Sepulveda, assistant director education & community impact, Arizona PBS
Member at Large • Kari Wardle, education manager, Idaho Public Television
Member at Large • Lydia Breiseth, director, Colorín Colorado, WETA
Member at Large • Beth Fronckowiak, senior director of learning & engagement, Buffalo Toronto Public Media
Member at Large • Amy Walls, coordinator of educational services, WTCI PBS
NETA Liaison • Lindsey Foat

Join the Education PLC on Public Media Learns and the Facebook Group

MARCOM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair • Erik Ernst, public relations director, Wisconsin Public Media
Vice Chair • Susan Mitchell, senior marketing representative, New Mexico PBS
Member at Large • Rob Elliott, on-air promotion manager, KET
Member at Large • Landon Masters, chief public information officer, South Carolina ETV
Member at Large • Mike Shea, communications specialist, ThinkTV
Member at Large • Karyn Crandall, marketing & communications coordinator, PBS Utah
Member at Large • George Davis, director of marketing & communications, WOSU Public Media
Member at Large • Amy Houck, vice president marketing & communications, WHRO Public Media
Member at Large • Elizabeth Williams, communications specialist, Iowa PBS
NETA Liaison • Tonya Weber

Join the MarCom PLC on Public Media Learns and the Facebook Group

PUBLIC MEDIA INNOVATORS PLC

The Public Media Innovators PLC is open to anyone in public media with a curious and innovative mindset. The PLC is focused on emerging media and technology trends that can enhance and evolve how public media operates and engages audiences. The group convenes to share knowledge and best practices for leveraging emerging technologies, to advocate for innovation and innovators across the public media ecosystem, and to explore opportunities for public media stations to collaborate or partner on developing innovative new content formats or audience experiences using emerging technologies. A speaker series is planned for the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM ET.

Chair • Chad Davis, chief innovation officer, Nebraska Public Media
Vice Chair • Amber Samdahl, director of design & innovation, PBS Wisconsin
NETA Liaison • Tim Eernisse