National Public Radio (NPR) just leveled up their executive leadership.

The company has announced that Yolanda Sangweni will assume the role of senior director for programming.

“Yolanda will be a key member of the programming leadership team, helping drive our strategy to reach new audiences, including developing new programs and initiatives,” said Anya Grundmann, SVP of Programming and Audience Development in a company statement. “She will also be the executive sponsor for several of our existing shows, including Throughline and CodeSwitch, and act as programming’s senior liaison with the Marketing division.”

According to NPR, Sangweni will join them from Luminary, where she was tapped for enhancing podcast discovery to users via different methods through her role as director of editorial and programming.

She also spent nine years working for ESSENCE as an entertainment editor before ultimately becoming the digital content director where she led the company’s social strategy and digital editorial. During her tenure, she also co-hosted and co-created “Yes, Girl,” ESSENCE’s two-time Webby-nominated podcast.

Sangweni is also the founder of African Women Create, a forthcoming and collective newsletter that highlights African women in the creative arts.

“I am thrilled to join NPR, an organization I have always looked to as the gold standard of masterful storytelling,” said Sangweni. “To be part of a diverse team that gets to cultivate a deeper understanding of ideas and culture in these times, as an immigrant born in South Africa, I know this to be both a privilege and an honor. I am excited to contribute my voice and experience to creating impactful programming.”

Sangweni will report directly to Grundmann and started her new role on Monday, Nov. 23.

Yolanda Sangweni

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