Public media producer GBH has announced the hiring of Sandra Lopez Burke as Managing Director of Community and Government Relations. In this new role, Lopez Burke will build on GBH’s community engagement efforts, creating greater diversity among audiences, thought leaders, and supporters, while managing strategic partnerships to further the organization’s goals.
Lopez Burke also will be responsible for government relations; manage GBH’s community advisory board, which provides valuable feedback to the organization on its programs and activities related to audiences and the community; and oversee the GBH/Apsell STEM Scholarship for Boston Public Schools students interested in pursuing a career in a field of science.
“As a public media broadcaster and producer, our work is woven into the community of Greater Boston,” said Jon Abbott, president and CEO of GBH. “Sandra Lopez Burke is uniquely suited for this role, bringing a depth of knowledge of the community, the education space, and extensive relationships across the state. She will represent GBH well and contribute to our organization’s future success.”
Lopez Burke brings extensive experience leading organizations with diverse audiences and creating impactful community involvements. Lopez Burke recently served as executive director of City Year Boston. Over her 20-year tenure, she was responsible for leading all aspects of the organization through transformative change and significant growth. Before that role, Lopez Burke served as Vice President for Boston 2000, Inc., the city’s official millennial committee, where she supported the planning and execution of cultural, educational, and legacy projects and neighborhood initiatives.
“GBH is part of the fabric of the city and region, serving a critical role as a voice of trusted journalism and educational content,” said Lopez Burke. “I’m excited about this opportunity and looking forward to furthering the organization’s impact in the community.”
In 2018, Lopez Burke was named one of Boston’s Most Influential People of Color by GK100 Get Konnected! She is a Barr Fellow Alumni with the Barr Foundation and currently serves on the advisory board of Beth Israel Deaconess Needham and as a trustee of Dana Hall Board.
About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture and journalism. It is the creator of such signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, Arthur and Molly of Denali and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts and on-demand video. GBH’s television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH Kids and national services WORLD and Create. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. Dedicated to making media accessible to and inclusive of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide with PBS LearningMedia and has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.