Public News/Talk 90.9 WBUR Boston CEO Margaret Low will retire from the organization in June 2027.
Low joined WBUR at the start of 2020 from The Atlantic where she served as Senior Vice President of The Atlantic and President of their AtlanticLIVE live events subsidiary. Prior to joining The Atlantic in 2014, Low spent 25 years at NPR including stints as Senior Producer of All Things Considered, Director of Satellite Radio Programming, Vice President of Programming, and Senior Vice President of News.
Following a brief break next summer, Low intends to join WBUR’s Board of Directors in the fall. Board Chair Paul Gannon told the station, “She was hands down just the right hire at the right time.”
She sent the following memo to staff this morning making the announcement:
Dear All,
Margaret here with an early Update and some personal news. After nearly seven years as WBUR’s CEO, I’m ready to pass the baton. But I’m not racing out the door — I’ll be here until the end of June 2027.
While this is my last “big job” — I’m not done with journalism or trying to make the world a better place. And I’m not going too far. I will join the WBUR Board next fall after I’ve had a few months to catch my breath. The search for WBUR’s next CEO will get underway right away. The board has already identified a search firm.
Being WBUR’s CEO has been pure joy for me and that’s because of you — my peerless colleagues. What sets you apart is your daily quest for excellence, your energy, your creativity and your dedication to the work we do. Together we’ve faced down a gauntlet of challenges and we’re soaring.
WBUR has served Boston and the region for 76 years. We have the wisdom of age and the zeal of a startup. We’re deeply embedded in our community. Our organization is brimming with talent, we’re on solid financial footing, we have a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture and we have a devoted audience who values our work and gives because we enrich their lives. We’re number one in the Boston market and just last week we picked up an armload of top awards. There is no doubt in my mind that WBUR will continue to flourish for years to come.
As many of you know, I’ve devoted my life to journalism in the public interest. And this has been the job of a lifetime. I love this place. I love what we do, what we make and why we make it. I believe in our mission. And I believe in all of you. With every fiber of my being.
You might ask, why are you walking away when you still love this job so much? The answer is pretty simple. At 67, I know there are many more yesterdays than tomorrows and there’s a lot of life out there still to experience. I can’t wait to do that with Kinsey, my other half, by my side.
With endless admiration and appreciation,
Margaret Low
Chief Executive Officer, WBUR
