ARLINGTON, VA; June 2, 2026— PBS today announced the election of Rachel Smolkin, President and CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), to serve as a Professional Director on the PBS Board of Directors. Her term begins today. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement from the Board of Mark Contreras, President and CEO of Connecticut Public.
“Rachel brings a crucial perspective to our Board. Having led at the highest levels of national journalism and now as the head of one of our outstanding member stations, she understands both the craft and the mission, said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. “Our Board will be stronger because of Rachel’s contributions as we navigate this critical moment for public media and the communities we serve.”
In 2024, Smolkin became President and CEO of OPB, where she leads the organization’s strategic direction and overall mission. Prior to OPB, she served as senior vice president of global news for CNN Digital, overseeing breaking news and politics and managing the network’s digital teams in Washington, across the United States, and around the world. She began at CNN in 2014, bolstering the network’s coverage of Washington, politics, and elections to help build CNN into a top digital politics brand. Before joining CNN, Smolkin served in leadership and editing roles at Politico, USA Today, and the American Journalism Review magazine.
Smolkin has an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where she attended the global executive program as a Batten Media Fellow. She completed the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program at Columbia University and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Brown University.
The 27-person PBS Board includes both Professional Directors, who are station leaders, and General Directors, who serve as lay members of the Board. PBS member stations elect Professional Directors. The General Directors are elected by the entire Board, as are the PBS President and the Board officers.
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