The Future is Now: Meet the Speakers

Looking for inspiration? Hope? Energy? Start your new year off with vision, clarity and community. Join Public Media for All for our 6th annual Day of Action & Education webinar. We're thrilled to announce that the following have leaders from a range of organizations and backgrounds will be sharing their visions for a better public media and the practices they're putting in place now to get us there now.

Jim Rademaker

Jim Rademaker has been the General Manager of WGVU Public Media since August 2021. Prior to that he was General Manager of WCMU Public Media at Central Michigan University. He currently serves as the President of the Michigan Association for Public Broadcasters, Chair of the Joint Licensee Affinity Group Coalition (PBS org), and as Vice Chair of the Affinity Group Coalition. 

Jim Rademaker returned to WGVU as General Manager at WGVU Public Media in Grand Rapids, Michigan in August of 2021. His public media career began as a volunteer for WGVU in 2001 as a volunteer auctioneer and on air membership drive host. In 2002 he formally began his public media career as an underwriting representative and worked his way up through the ranks to become Development Manager. In 2016 he left WGVU to become Assistant General Manager and Director of Development and then General Manager at WCMU Public Media. Jim previously served on the PBS Development Advisory Committee the final 2 years as its chair. As well as served on the executive board of the Small Station Association and various NETA committees. Locally he currently serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and Scouting USA. He has previously served as a board member for the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, Grand Rapids Civic Theater. His three main passions in public media are; to build WGVU into an organization of impact that goes beyond broadcasting to be a trusted partner with the community where all voices can be heard and people feel they belong; build empowered teams that are solution oriented; and build systems that ensure new generations of talent coming into the system can thrive and we can learn from each other.

Lorena Aguayo-Márquez

Lorena Aguayo-Márquez is the Community Impact Manager at WGVU Public Media and the station’s first Latina leader. A connector, strategist, and storyteller at heart, she brings more than 20 years of experience in community engagement, education, and workforce development. Rooted in storytelling and equity, Lorena leads with purpose, advancing equity, uplifting underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Daniel Cardenas

As the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Daniel Cardenas (he/him) serves as the main advocate for KPBS’ diversity vision, initiatives, action plan and strategic goals. He serves as a key collaborator between San Diego State University, the San Diego State University Research Foundation, and KPBS. For the past two years, he has been the subject-matter expert and champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging at the station.

Prior to KPBS, Daniel spent over a decade creating equitable education and work environments on university campuses. This includes UC San Diego, UC Davis, as well as Oregon State University where he led recruitment, retention, and culturally affirming programming for students, faculty, and staff. Daniel earned a Master of Education from Oregon State University and his bachelor’s from Sonoma State University.

Daniel is a father, partner, and poet. When not working, he can be found at the park, riding bikes, hiking with his family, or taking in San Diego’s art and hip hop scene.

Ashley Alvarado

Ashley Alvarado became president and CEO of Texas Public Radio in December 2024, bringing more than two decades of experience in journalism.  

During her twelve years at LAist, Ashley led community engagement efforts across a wide range of initiatives, from live events and art installations to responding to thousands of questions from community members. She oversaw teams focused on audience engagement and newsroom experimentation. 

An award-winning journalist and experienced newsroom coach, Ashley has worked with Blue Engine, the Poynter Institute, and the American Press Institute. She has also contributed to leadership programs with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association. A former president of Journalism That Matters, Ashley currently serves on the boards of the Online News Association, Greater Public, and the First Amendment Coalition.

Kenya Young

Kenya Young is President and CEO of Louisville Public Media, where she oversees the organization’s strategic vision, operations, and multi-platform content strategy. She brings nearly two decades of experience in public media and journalism.

Previously, she served as Senior Vice President at New York Public Radio, overseeing podcast studios, programming, digital platforms, live events, and audience development.

Kenya’s career began as a journalist and news producer, advancing into leadership roles including Executive Producer of NPR’s flagship programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and Managing Editor leading groundbreaking collaborations connecting public media stations nationwide.

Podcast portfolios over the years have included Up First, Radiolab, The New Yorker Radio Hour, and On the Media, reaching millions of listeners through audience growth and innovation.

Kenya has been a longtime advocate for including underrepresented and underserved voices and communities in newsrooms and storytelling. She is committed to ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in teams, content, and the audiences public media serves. She is passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of public media leaders.

Kenya holds a B.A. in American Studies with a minor in Journalism from the University of Notre Dame.