New York Public Radio Names New Executive Leaders
Ru Sharma, Emily Christner, and Patti Cohen join iconic center of excellence for audio and multiplatform journalism, arts and culture, and civic dialogue
NEW YORK, NY — May 4, 2026 New York Public Radio President and CEO Christy Tanner has appointed Ru Sharma as Chief People Officer, Emily Christner as Chief Growth and Engagement Officer, and Patti Cohen as SVP of Analytics, Insights and Research. They will assume their roles effective immediately as part of the leadership team of New York Public Radio (NYPR), which includes WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio.
“Ru, Emily, and Patti will be essential partners to the New York Public Radio team as we work together to expand our position as an iconic center of excellence, operating in public service to our city, with global impact,” said Tanner.
Chief People Officer Ru Sharma has more than two decades of experience building HR teams across big tech, media, financial services, and consumer goods organizations, including Amazon Web Services, Universal Standard, Bloomberg L.P., and Achievement First. Ru will partner across the organization to guide a forward‑looking people strategy.
Chief Growth & Engagement Officer Emily Christner is an award winning media executive with more than two decades of experience building cutting edge technology and leading growth efforts in senior leadership roles in companies such as Lionsgate, CBS Interactive, Trusted Media Brands, and 3C Ventures. Emily will partner across the organization to help lead its next phase of growth.
Senior Vice President, Analytics, Insights & Research Patti Cohen has more than three decades of experience across broadcast, syndication, streaming, and digital media, serving most recently as SVP of Research for CBS Television Stations and CBS Media Ventures where she led enterprise-wide analytics and insights. Patti will design and lead a new Analytics, Insights & Research (AIR) function across NYPR.
About New York Public Radio
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, New York Public Radio (NYPR) produces innovative, critically acclaimed programming for local and national broadcast, on-demand and live streaming audiences. NYPR’s brands include WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. The WNYC/Gothamist newsroom produces award-winning local journalism for New York City, New Jersey, and the surrounding region. WQXR, the city’s only all-classical radio station, broadcasts new and archival classical recordings and makes live performances from New York City’s esteemed performance venues available to all. WNYC Studios is a premier producer of on-demand and national broadcast audio, and home to some of the industry’s most impactful award-winning podcasts and national radio shows, including Radiolab, On the Media, and The New Yorker Radio Hour, among others. The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is NYPR’s intimate street-level broadcast studio and live event space. Further information about programs, podcasts, and stations may be found at www.nypublicradio.org.