2023-2024 Board Nominees

*This page is an archive of the 2023-2024 Board Nominees. You can view the results from this election here.

Elections for AIR's Board are now open! Voting is open only to current AIR members.

Scroll down to read all the candidate's bios and personal statements.

• Election Period Opened: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 9am ET
• Election Period Closed: Wednesday, January 17th, at 11:59 pm ET
• Election Results Announced: Wednesday, January 24th in the AIR Newsletter

Individual Director Candidates

AIR members may vote for three candidates for individual directors.

Ann Marie Awad (they/she) 

I am an independent journalist, story editor and podcast creator based in Denver, Colorado. I have been in the news business for nearly 15 years, spending most of that time in public radio newsrooms as a live on-air host or reporter. In 2019, I launched a podcast called On Something, which explored changing drug policies through the lens of personal stories. Since then, I have worked as a producer on podcast projects with Audible, Sonos and City Cast, to name a few. I have also worked as a story editor on the James Beard Award-winning podcast Dish City. In 2022, I was selected as a journalism fellow with the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, where I have been working on developing another drug policy podcast. I am devoted to mentorship, and have mentored with New Voices and Next Generation Radio. I also teach on SoundPath and elsewhere, whenever I have the chance.

Candidate Statement 

I have been a member of AIR for my entire audio career. After graduating from j-school in 2014, AIR was instrumental in helping me to find my first job in radio. In 2016, I was selected as a New Voices Scholar, which afforded me the opportunity to attend the Third Coast Festival that year and have my mind thoroughly blown by the experience. In 2021, I was invited to be a part of an advocacy work group with AIR, when I had hardly engaged in advocacy anywhere ever before. The following year, I was invited to teach a class on AIR’s brand new teaching platform called SoundPath. It was my first time teaching, and it turns out that now I’m hooked. This is a long way of saying that my career has grown alongside this organization, and now I feel indebted for all that growth. At almost every turn, this community has expanded what I thought was possible for my career. I feel passionate about not only ensuring AIR’s longevity, but expanding what this organization can do for the independent during this time of crisis in our industry. The audio industry as most of us know it is gone, and whatever comes next is being created right now. This is fertile ground for asserting the value and importance of our work and our rights. If elected, I would use my seat on the board to advocate for more…well, advocacy. I want to fight for us.

Marisa Bramwell (she/her) 

Marisa Bramwell is a creative consultant, writer and producer for podcasts, TV and film who's passionate about supporting and guiding companies on audience-first, multi-platform content strategies. Considered a trusted sounding board, collaborator, and leader, she’s developed and executed creative content strategies for a diverse client portfolio of over 60 organizations, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to academia, tech, science, and entertainment. Marisa leverages her experience across editorial strategy, storytelling, operations, production, marketing and management at ABC News, Paramount, and other industry leaders to build sustainable infrastructures, top-performing teams, and productions. She’s a multiple Emmy nominee, has an MBA in Entrepreneurship, Bachelors in Computer Science and Communications, and is a member of WGA.

Candidate Statement 

I’m interested in joining AIR’s Board of Directors because I’ve found value in the organization during the time I’ve been a member, notably through its talent directory, toolbox and rate guides. I’d love to contribute and give back to AIR’s growing community; I have 20 years of experience across television and podcasting as a writer, producer, executive and consultant, and am an active mentor. As an MBA in Entrepreneurship, I love taking an entrepreneurial approach to creativity, and have provided creative and monetization strategies to startups, small businesses, and independent productions. I have extensive experience as a manager and team lead, having managed teams ranging from 3 people to over 100. As an entrepreneur and former journalist, I’m accustomed to volatile industries and the art of the pivot. I look forward to possibly working with AIR members and Board of Directors as the organization grows in the coming years. Thank you!

Rob Byers (he/him) (Incumbent)

Rob is an audio engineer, production consultant, and trainer. At Vox Audio he is the Director of Audio Engineering and was formerly the technical director for Criminal Productions. Prior to working at Vox he was the Director of Broadcast and Media Production at American Public Media. He also trained audio producers around the country with NPR Training and has written educational guides for producers of all experience levels. He has recorded a variety of musicians, from Lizzo and Brandi Carlile to Yo-Yo Ma and Denyce Graves, helped engineer NPR's coverage of Hurricane Katrina from the Gulf Coast, and coordinated live international broadcasts from Cuba and Greece. He has enjoyed a long relationship with the Association of Independents in Radio and currently serves on the board of directors. In 2021, Rob was awarded the inaugural Audio Engineering Society's President's Award for his work on loudness in streaming music and podcasts. He is an avid cyclist, a not-so-avid runner, and recently took up sailing on Minneapolis's beautiful lakes.

Candidate Statement 

I am thrilled to run for a second term on AIR’s board of directors. These past couple of years have been challenging but successful as AIR grows and adapts. It is a pleasure to watch the organization take a new, forward-looking shape under the leadership of Executive Director Keisha Salmon. And the experience and perspectives on the board of directors have expanded in ways that will benefit the membership for years to come. Personally, it has been rewarding to represent members who work in areas like audio engineering, sound design, and composition. I look forward to serving AIR and our members in this next term!

Alison Byrne (she/her)

Alison Byrne is a podcast producer with 20 years of experience creating nonfiction media. She’s produced audio with Virginia Humanities for the national weekly public radio show, "With Good Reason"; with Mo Rocca for his podcast, "Mobituaries"; for the NEH-grant-funded series, “Voices of Vietnam,” and for Fluent Knowledge’s award-winning podcast series, “The Purple Principle” and “My Body Odyssey.” She’s currently producing “Good Citizen,” with the Future of StoryTelling (FoST) and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Along the way she’s provided not only audio-related tasks, but managed logistics, budgets, travel, office administration, and is generally wearing many hats. Before moving into audio, Alison produced documentary films, reality TV, web series, and branded content in New York and Los Angeles. Making its way into the spotlight again is the HBO documentary film, “Mommy Dead & Dearest,” which follows the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and which Alison co-produced with Director Erin Lee Carr. She was also Drew Barrymore’s personal assistant, and Associate Producer of the animal-centric comedy web series, “Heavy Petting.” It’s been an interesting ride. Alison has been a member of AIR for almost a decade. She’s also a member of PRX and the Television Academy. She has an MFA in Integrated Media Arts from Hunter College, is a graduate of the Transom Story Workshop, and won a 2015 Miller Audio Prize from the Missouri Review. She’s mom to a 6-year-old boy whose name no one can spell, and works remotely from her bungalow at the Jersey Shore, where she insists: It’s not how you think it is.

Candidate Statement 

As an AIR board member, just as an AIR member, my focus is jobs and salary transparency. People are paid wildly different wages for the same work, and too many companies still get away with posting jobs without pay details. AIR's wage guide is so important, but I've found it 1. doesn't accurately reflect many of our experiences, 2. isn’t widely available/known to businesses, and 3. doesn’t provide for the variety of work we're doing. This can be addressed, and I'd love to help. That said, I also want to be realistic about pay and the market. The advertising and subscription money in audio programming is not the same as TV, so it makes sense when our demands aren't always met. I'm concerned about the state of podcasting, considering the number of layoffs in 2023. Where are the most vacancies -- geographically and in terms of job function? And how can we create more awAIRness of our mighty group and attract more job postings? I want to put more money and time into figuring that out for all of us. Some notes about me that can translate to usefulness: 1) I pivoted from video to audio and can offer expertise across media, career perspective and tools for others making that leap. 2) I'm 45-years-old, ageism is a problem, and representation is important. 3) I’m a solo parent who can't work long hours outside my home. I think it’s time to talk about regular work schedules (for people across media), and set realistic expectations in radio and podcasting. Overall, I want to listen and lend a hand.

Will Coley (he/him)

I’m an independent audio producer, community organizer and communications problem-solver based in Harlem, NY and an AIR member since 2011. After college, I worked for a refugee resettlement agency in my home state of North Carolina, drawn in by the compelling stories of families from Vietnam, Somalia and Liberia. I continued working in immigration assistance for over twenty years in Zimbabwe, the U.K., New Jersey, and California. I received the Reebok Human Rights Award in 2001 for my work with people held in U.S. immigration detention. These experiences inspired me to create digital storytelling projects for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations through my consulting practice, Aquifer Media. In 2011, I became a convert to the “Gospel of Radio” after attending the Transom Story Workshop. Since then, I’ve produced a range of audio stories, some of which have aired on NPR News, 99% Invisible, BBC World Service, The World and Georgia Public Broadcasting among others. I launched two limited series podcasts, Indefensible and Shifting the Narrative. Most recently, as a producer at Condé Nast, I have worked for The New Yorker Radio Hour and several Vanity Fair podcasts. I also coordinate monthly meetings of “Graydio” for audio producers and serve as an unofficial tape sync connector (or “doula”) for AIR members.

Candidate Statement 

In May 2023, I made this video for AIR’s 35th anniversary with voices of AIR members. It really struck me how pivotal AIR has been in their careers (often starting with tape syncs!). It also reminded me why I’ve been a member for 12 years. Even with recent upsets in the “podcast economy,” I still believe that there are lots of opportunities for independent producers. With the skills I learned through years of activism and organizing, I want to help AIR be more vocal on expanding freelance and funding opportunities as well as promoting better rates and timely payment. I’d love to help stations and companies better understand the benefits of working with indies, even now. We can make more organizational statements on injustices and victories in our sector. I also want to help build broader awareness of AIR. In 2023, I got tired of production companies posting scattershot requests on listservs instead of consulting AIR’s directory. I started connecting them with AIR members and many of these companies were unaware of us. I’ve also noticed how there are parts of the world where AIR doesn’t have any members. I want to help expand and strengthen our network through my own connections with producers, stations and educational institutions. For several years, I’ve coordinated monthly gatherings of “seasoned” audio professionals (which we call “Graydio”). If 2023 taught us anything, it’s that we need each other. And for me, AIR continues to be one of the most powerful places for that support.

Joni Deutsch (she/her)

Joni Deutsch is an award-winning audio professional and NPR veteran with 13+ years of outstanding experience as a producer/host, content manager, and marketer/audience growth specialist. Deutsch is currently VP of Marketing and Audience Development at The Podglomerate, where she leads audience strategy for high-profile podcast clients including NHPR's “Bear Brook” (praised as one of the "best true crime podcasts" by Stephen King), Magnificent Noise & PRX’s “This Is Dating” (named “one of the best podcasts of 2022” by NYT), and “Missing Pages” (called a must-listen by Apple Podcasts and Washington Post), as well as PBS, NPR, Freakonomics Radio, Harvard, Stanford, and NPR stations (WHYY, KUOW, WUNC), among many others. Deutsch spent the first decade of her career in public radio. At WVPB, she became the youngest (and first female) to host NPR Music’s Mountain Stage, and her local music podcast/programming work was heralded as exemplary public media alongside Terry Gross and Mr. Rogers. As podcast manager at WFAE, she led the Queen City PodQuest and the first Charlotte Podcast Festival (named a “best podcast conference” by Buzzsprout), in addition to hosting the award-winning music podcast Amplifier. She's spoken at national conferences (Podcast Movement, WNYC’s Werk It, PRPD, PMDMC) and been featured by NPR, Bloomberg, The Verge’s Hot Pod, Harvard’s Nieman Journalism Lab, Poynter, CPB, and beyond. Her work has been recognized by the Murrow Awards, Gracie Awards, and Webby Awards, in addition to the ONA's Women's Leadership Accelerator, Axios' "30 under 30,” and Duke University TiP’s Early Achievement Award.

Candidate Statement 

I absolutely love the power of audio, whether it’s in the form of a podcast, a radio feature, or music discovery programming. And for the past 13 years, my goal has been to follow that passion by highlighting the potential for audio (in connecting communities and amplifying voices and perspectives) and by focusing on the holistic elements of the medium: what we do (using design thinking for content development and storyboarding), how we do it (utilizing innovative platforms for audio production, podcast hosting/distribution, and analytics tracking and conversion data), and what is possible with a little bit of creativity, strategy, and collaborative energy. My work background crosses a few fields – from content creation to audience growth/marketing, from public radio to for-profit podcasting for media outlets, institutions, and major companies/brands, not to mention judging national competitions like The Webby Awards and The Signal Awards – which has given me a greater appreciation and knowledge base for how we can grow audio storytelling across various channels with different goals, budgets, and audiences in mind. Needless to say, AIR has been a constant in the audio space (and my own work) to facilitate stronger bonds and foundational efforts for the state of audio. It would be an honor to help contribute to its strategic direction and provide support to its members – whether they're producers who are in the dark about the “nuts and bolts” of podcast audience growth/marketing, or emerging voices who navigating the zigs and zags of our evolving field.

Dennis Funk (he/him)

Dennis Funk is an award-winning independent producer, showrunner, story editor, sound designer and composer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. He works across narrative and experimental audio projects, and currently runs an independent production studio, Written In Air. Via the studio, Dennis has partnered and collaborated with companies like Pushkin Industries, Pineapple Street Studios, iHeartMedia, BBC Radio networks and more. Before becoming an independent, Dennis curated and dissected thousands of hours of audio art and documentary while working with Chicago's Third Coast International Audio Festival, where he made around 100 episodes of their series Re:sound. As an editor with The Washington Post he produced features from around the world and crafted narrative podcast projects. Dennis worked as an editor for Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio, where he helped develop new series as well. His freelance stories and music have appeared on podcasts, radio, theatre and in the halls of the Art Institute of Chicago. Outside of producing, Dennis privately mentors a handful of new career producers each year, and has also worked as a mentor with The Podcast Academy. He’s taught courses on production, listening and other areas of nonfiction audio. Having also lived and worked in the UK and EU, Dennis is a part of the global audio community, regularly engaging with and speaking at audio conferences and festivals around the world. Dennis is very interested in an audio future where co-op studios and independent productions are the beating heart of the industry.

Candidate Statement 

I’ve followed AIR for more than a decade, but, until a few years ago, never thought it was for me. I had staff roles and didn’t think I was truly “indy” enough to be a member. When I became a full-time independent a few years ago, I joined AIR to feel connected to the rest of the industry while out on my own. AIR supported me during the pandemic and helped me find my way, and I want to do that for others who may be in a similar transition. The independent audio landscape is changing. Right now, there are more freelance producers than ever: some by choice and others by layoff. Rookie producers have always needed help and resources, but there are also many creators with years and years of experience who are jumping into the independent landscape for the first time. I want to use my background to help build an AIR that advances audiomakers at all levels. And, having a well-rounded, global perspective on our industry, I’ll bring knowledge to AIR that can elevate us all. Over the years AIR evolved through periods of change to remain a central hub for our industry. With the audio narrative world being in a difficult place right now, I feel the organisation will continue to pivot and play a massive part in getting all of us through this rough patch. AIR is where we’ll organise, share ideas and collectively build a better future for narrative audio and journalism.

Andrea Gutierrez (she/her)

Andrea Gutierrez is an independent reporter and podcast producer in Los Angeles. She most recently worked at NPR, where she was part of the teams who made TED Radio Hour, It’s Been a Minute, and Planet Money. Her reporting has aired on shows across the network, including All Things Considered, Code Switch, and Alt.Latino. In 2023, she reported from Berlin as an Arthur F. Burns Fellow. Gutierrez got her start in radio producing and reporting for The Frame, a daily radio show on NPR member station KPCC. Past bylines include BBC World Service, CBC, LAist, The California Sunday Magazine, Marfa Public Radio, Bitch, make/shift, Huizache, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Gutierrez’s work has won awards and honors from the Podcast Academy, Los Angeles Press Club, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, and KCRW’s 24-Hour Radio Race. She was a RIAS Berlin Commission Fellow, IWMF Gwen Ifill Fellow, and AIR New Voices Scholar. In a previous life, she spent many years advising and mentoring students at public universities throughout California. A first-generation college graduate and lifelong Southern Californian, Gutierrez received a B.A. in German studies at Scripps College and an MFA in creative nonfiction at the University of California, Riverside. She’s an alum of the Poynter Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media and the Transom Traveling Workshop.

Candidate Statement 

We’ve heard it all this past year. “It’s a market correction.” “This was a long time coming.” “The dumb money is gone.” Yet it's of small consolation to those of us audio makers in the trenches, the ones doing the everyday creative work of getting our stories to audiences’ ears, who have taken the biggest hit — whether through layoffs, cratering budgets, unsold shows, and more. The words on everyone’s lips continue to be: Where do we go from here? As an AIR member since 2017 and one of AIR’s New Voices in 2019, I’ve found extraordinary comfort, confidence, and strength in holding such a space for audio makers to collaborate and commune with each other. AIR provides vital resources in its communities of learning (Sound Path, New Voices), mutual support (the forums), and measures of accountability (rate guides and salary research), all of which fill a gap necessary to support and grow the next generations of audio storytellers. I’m eager to join AIR’s Board of Directors as a way to give back to an organization that has given me so much, and to help guide our membership through these murky industry waters while still moving our craft forward. Our industry may be in financial straits, but we continue to seek ways to tell stories through sound, and we’re best positioned to do so through our collective power. If no one else is watching out for us, then we gotta take care of ourselves, and each other.

Mia Lobel (she/her)

Mia Lobel is a veteran audio producer, manager, and educator, and the former VP of Content and Production at Pushkin Industries where she oversaw all podcasts including Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, Broken Record, and many more. She now works as a mentor and consultant, helping individuals and companies build great teams, set up sustainable production processes, and create impactful, entertaining, and memorable content. Mia received a master’s degree from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. She's also founder of the long-standing community group, Freelance Cafe, a networking resource for public media independents.

Candidate Statement 

 I’ve been an AIR member for more than 20 years. In my early career I received mentorship through AIR’s founders, booked many tape syncs and other jobs, and formed deep ties in the audio storytelling community. Since then I’ve had a front row seat to some of our industry’s biggest changes. I’ve worked as a podcast producer on dozens of shows, been an executive at a premiere independent podcast company, taught audio courses for all levels of learners in varied organizations, and I’ve used AIR resources through it all. Now, as an audio veteran, I’d like to give back to the community that has done so much for me. I currently serve as an AIR mentor and SoundPath instructor, focusing on skill building and management training for mid-to-senior level producers. And in the last couple months I’ve proposed some big ideas for how to support our industry through alternative business models and cooperative ownership. As an AIR Board Member I’d like to further build out those ideas to best support the independents who have always been the beating heart of AIR. It’d be my honor to serve this incredible and thriving community.

Lesedi Mogoatlhe (she/her)

Lesedi Mogoatlhe is the Editor and Host for the Radio Workshop podcast. She worked with the organisation for several years training youth in radio production across Africa. She trained Radio Workshop’s first podcast project with LGBTI+ activists and organizations in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa. Today, she continues to design curriculum, train and mentor young journalists in podcasting across Africa. Lesedi harnessed her storytelling skills in TV and Film, where she worked for over 15 years. She received her MA in documentary filmmaking from Sussex University in the UK. And qualified as an Integral Coach at UCT Graduate School Of Business. 

Candidate Statement 

I am the Editor and the Host for our Radio Workshop Podcast, where we produce one of the few narrative podcasts on the African continent. A large part of our success has come about through a relentless effort to collaborate with community radio stations and media practitioners, be they journalists, sound engineers or festival directors. Through these connections, we have found stories from corners of this continent we would have otherwise never known about. I’m especially proud of the work we’ve done with organisations and activists to tell the stories of LGBTI+ people whose lives on the continent are still threatened by oppressive laws. The African podcast industry is young and the resources are still few and instrumental to our success are the opportunities and resources made available through media organisations like AIR Media. I am running for the seat because I’d like to participate and input in the conversations about the fast growing African podcast industry, and the potential for exchange and collaboration. Africa has a massive youth population who will contribute hugely to the creation and consumption of media in the near future. I have worked first hand on the ground and understand the trends, the needs and potential points of learning and  collaboration for Africa with the world. I hope to contribute knowledge from my experience and to work with an organisation that sees training, mentorship and access to resources as integ  ral to the growth of an inclusive and diverse media industry.

Dhashen Moodley (he/him)

Dhashen is senior producer of podcasts at Radio Workshop - a non-profit that trains youth reporters in Africa, supports community radio stations, and produces longform, narrative non-fiction podcasts. Before joining Radio Workshop, Dhashen spent 14 years working his way through nearly every newsroom position on public radio and television in South Africa, including news anchor, reporter, and editor. As a freelancer, he has contributed to New York Times, NPR, BBC, Voice of America, Unicef, 99% Invisible, Foreign Policy, Vanity Fair, Vice, Channel 4 News, The Africa Report, among others. Dhashen is a past fellow of the United Nations RAF Journalism Program, the Bloomberg Media Initiative in Africa, the Netherlands Fellowship Program, Earth Journalism Network, the International Visitor Leadership Program, and others. As senior podcast producer at Radio Workshop, his work has been recognised with awards from the International Documentary Association and One World Media Awards. His stories were also finalists for the Third Coast International Audio Festival, The Ambies, and the Association for International Broadcasting. Dhashen served as Non-Executive Director of South Africa’s first podcasting company, Sound Africa. He is a recurring juror for the IDA Documentary Awards and a past podcast advisor for the PRX Africa Podcast Lab. Dhashen holds a commerce degree in management, and certificates in newsroom management, data journalism, and science reporting.

Candidate Statement 

I am a seasoned journalist and podcast producer with a proven track record of handling successful productions, embarking on prestigious fellowships, and winning international awards. My extensive travels, deep reporting, and experience in multicultural teams have equipped me with a wide range of skills and a unique perspective. Currently, I am most passionate about supporting those entering the industry in these challenging times. As a candidate for AIR's board, my focus will be on supporting underrepresented individuals, particularly young BIPOC producers worldwide. I am committed to amplifying their stories globally. I strongly believe in Africa's untapped storytelling potential, and its rapidly growing podcasting community will be crucial assets for AIR's future growth. Managing a listserv for African Audio Producers, I actively connect and collaborate with radio journalists and producers across the continent, aligning with AIR's mission to create an environment where “story makers can do their best work”. With a background as a former UN correspondent, journalism student at Radio Netherlands Training Centre, and a reporter across several African cities, I offer a global outlook to support AIR's efforts to expand into new international areas. I am eager to bring my passion, skills, and international insight to support AIR's growth and impact on a broader scale. Lastly, I am running for a position on AIR’s Board because as Shakira once said, ‘This Time For Africa’.

Ari Saperstein (he/him)

Ari Saperstein is a multimedia journalist based in Los Angeles. As an audio producer and reporter, he's worked for This American Life, Pineapple Street Studios and KPCC/LAist. Ari is the creator of the independent documentary podcast Blind Landing. The series has received numerous accolades, including being named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021, a 2022 Webby Award Honoree, 2022 AIPS Audio Award Finalist, 2023 Gracie Awards Honorable Mention and the 2023 Ambie Award Winner. Outside of audio, Ari’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Advocate, The Wall Street Journal and Vox. He has spoken at numerous schools and conferences, including Yale University, University of Washington, Pomona College, On Air Fest, Podcast Movement and NPO Audiodag. Ari has been a mentor with the AIR/SoundPath Mentorship program for over two years. He is the founder the LA Radio Club, a bimonthly local journalism speaker series for LA-based audio producers and reporters. Ari has been a finalist for the National Arts & Entertainment Journalist Of The Year Award and the AIPS (International Sports Press Association) Young Reporter Award.

Candidate Statement 

Back when I was starting out in audio, as an intern at my local public radio station, I got selected for a program AIR was running at Third Coast called “Tune-Up Sessions”, providing one-on-one time with an experienced producer. Through that program, I received essential feedback on an early version of what would evolve into my podcast Blind Landing. When I won the Ambie for Best Independent Podcast for the series years later, I used my limited speech time to praise AIR’s mission. I never would’ve gotten to that place in my career, on that podium, without community and mentorship like that initial “Tune-Up” I got through AIR. I’ve aimed to pay it forward ever since: as a mentor with the AIR/SoundPath Mentorship program for over two years now, I’ve had the pleasure of helping AIR members figure out how to make their goals a reality. Since 2021, I’ve strived to be a leader with in-person community in Los Angeles by creating the LA Radio Club, organizing a speaker series, mentorship program and skill-based workshops. There’s numerous folks in audio who’ve gone out of their way to make time for me, to share knowledge, to say yes when they could have easily said no – so whenever possible I look for opportunities to be that person for others, inside and outside of AIR. I’m thrilled to be nominated as a potential board member and would love nothing more than the chance to keep supporting and growing this vital organization. 

Paul Vogelzang (he/him)

 I served as the Special Assistant, E-Gov, in the office of the CIO with the United States Department of Treasury. During my work at Treasury, I worked as a spokesperson and authored numerous articles on e-commerce, e-gov issues, auction theory, financial services, and, specifically, the online availability and privacy issues surrounding US government bond transactions. Additionally, I have appeared on numerous network financial talk shows, among them MSNBC, CNNfn, CNBC, and NBC. I have a B.A. in Public Administration from the University of the Pacific and an M.B.A. from LaSalle University, Graduate School of Business.  Since leaving federal service in 2014, I’ve worked hard to pivot toward podcasting and radio.  The award-winning podcast, The Not Old - Better Show, was launched in 2014. The Not Old Better Show is dedicated to empowering and enriching the lives of the 60+ age community.  Each week I interview authors, cultural experts, sports and entertainment superstars, health and nutrition experts, and ordinary people living extraordinary lives, all delivering the message that it's never too late to pursue your passions and create a life of purpose, adventure, and significance.  The Not Old Better Show is the proud host of The Smithsonian Associates Interview Series and the Prevention Magazine Health Interview Series and is available online and via terrestrial radio stations nationwide.

Candidate Statement 

I’m in my ‘Second Act as a former federal employee who left federal service at age 58.  I started my podcast, The Not Old Better Show, immediately and am now enjoying my work online and on terrestrial radio professionally.  I love radio, and so does my audience in the 55+ age community!  I’m grateful for radio and want to give back.  As a former US federal government employee, I have the policy, governance, and management background needed to be a member of the AIR Board.  Since leaving federal service eight years ago, my work, especially in recent years, has been centered around curating content for aging adults over 60. This aligns with AIR's mission of amplifying new voices. My efforts have not only provided entertainment but also vital information and a sense of community to this demographic, showcasing the untapped potential and diverse experiences of older adults. During COVID isolation, many in my audience expressed relief to have a place, a people, and socialization provided by my show. I have existing content partnerships with Smithsonian Associates and Hearst Corp., which are great potential funding partners for AIR, too.  I want to serve and have the time, and now, in my second act, I want to give back.  I am excited at the prospect of contributing more significantly to AIR. I bring a unique contribution—not just experience and a network but also a relentless enthusiasm for our field and a commitment to ensuring that radio continues to be a vibrant, inclusive medium.

Kacie Willis (she/her)

Kacie is a creator and arts advocate based out of Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her BS in Music Recording Technology from Hampton University and MFA in Sound Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. After participating in the 2019 Spotify Sound Up podcasting accelerator program she formed the production company Could Be Pretty Cool whose mission is to produce unique creative experiences to inspire community building through the arts. She is the creator and host of the Spotify Original podcast You Heard Me Write and has been named one of the ’40 Under 40 in Podcasting’ by Podcast Magazine. Kacie has also served as a theatrical sound designer, arts administrator and speaker for local and national arts and cultural organizations.

Candidate Statement 

I am running for a position on the AIR Board of Directors because I am passionate about audio production and research. I have found that the audio community is very welcoming and supportive of creative individuals, and I want to use data and outreach to advocate for other creators who may feel like they don't fit in. I also want to encourage new and experimental voices and production types in the audio field. I bring over 10 years of experience as a sound designer, producer, creator and arts advocate and I am eager to serve the field in any way that I can, particularly after a brutal 2023.

Organizational Director Candidates

AIR members may vote for two candidates for organizational directors.

Elaine Appleton Grant (she/her)

Elaine Appleton Grant is the CEO of Podcast Allies, an audio storytelling consulting, production and training company helping public media, nonprofits, social impact and higher ed organizations make beautifully crafted shows. She is the host and executive producer of the podcast Sound Judgment, which takes listeners into the studios — and the minds — of your favorite audio storytellers. In each episode, Grant and a top audio creator deconstruct one of their episodes. It’s not just a revealing conversation about the art and craft of audio storytelling, it’s a sound-rich narrative interview: Elaine plays back clips from her guest’s podcast. Together, they explore the storyteller’s creative choices in a “living learning lab.” She also writes Sound Judgment, the newsletter, about creative choices in audio storytelling. Earworthy calls the podcast + newsletter “a master class in Podcasting.” A lifelong journalist, Elaine worked for Boston’s WBUR, NH Public Radio and Colorado Public Radio. She produced Wondery’s hit show Business Wars Daily and wrote the Tulsa Race Massacre series for American History Tellers. Her TEDxtalk about the Tulsa Race Massacre has been viewed almost 125,000 times. She has spoken for organizations including Inbound, the Public Radio Program Directors Association (PRPD), Women of Denver, University of Colorado, Podcast Movement, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, and the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications. Elaine is a transplanted New Englander living in Colorado, a huge fan of libraries, hiking, and coffee, and the mom and bonus mom of four kids, a dog and a cat.

Candidate Statement 

These days, being an independent audio professional isn’t easy. Nor is it easy to run an independent production company, as I do. Independence can be shaky and lonely, or we can be part of a vibrant, resourceful community that makes life easier and our content better. That’s what AIR provides, and I’d like to play a greater role in making the organization even stronger and more responsive. Over the years, I’ve been a freelancer, a public radio staffer, a podcast network producer, and the leader of my own training and production company. As someone who both hires and is hired, I can advocate from a position of strength for fair pay, diversity and inclusion, and good working conditions. I believe in AIR’s mission statement: “Always independent, never alone.” And so I am motivated to be a strong voice for members. But a strong voice is not enough: In 2024, AIR will grow its philanthropic support and strengthen ties to public radio newsrooms. As host of Sound Judgment, a podcast about audio storytelling, I’ve built an extensive industry network in the U.S. and abroad. Using this network and my love of bringing people together, I can help with both of these efforts. Yes, I’m a producer. But I’m also an advocate for raising the quality of audio storytelling and of changing the perception of podcasting as something “anyone can do” to what it really is — a cultural and artistic form equal in importance to all media. That’s my mission for Sound Judgment, and it fuels the energy with which I would serve AIR.

Steph Colbourn (they/she)

Steph Colbourn is the CEO and Founder of editaudio, a global full-suite podcast production company working in Canada, the US and the UK. editaudio is queer-owned and operated entirely by women, trans and non-binary people. Their slate of award-winning editaudio Originals have amassed over 3 million downloads and have been featured by Forbes, Apple, Spotify and iHeart. editaudio also produces podcasts for clients like Vox, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Stack Overflow, Historica Canada, and Google. Steph is the North American Lead of the Equality in Audio Pact, a member of The Podcast Academy’s Outreach and Education Committee, and has taught for PBS’ Student Reporting Labs, The School of Visual Arts NYC, Drury University and Concordia University. They have a certificate in Trauma Reporting Training, a BFA in Electroacoustics and a BA in Creative Writing.

Candidate Statement 

I want to contribute to making the industry more diverse, more transparent and more fair. I've moved through the audio industry as an artist, a freelancer and now as an international business owner. Throughout that journey, I have been an active advocate for women and gender-expansive people. Fueled by my own experiences of feeling small and othered in college and studios, I've worked to lower barriers of entry into our field and have made a concerted effort to hire more people of marginalized identities both in front of the mic and in the production rooms. With the Equality In Audio Pact, I am working with our team to create international pay transparency and ask the large corporations to be better. I'd love to have open dialogue between AIR and the EAP so that we can include more data and learn from each other. I also want to continue to engage with freelancers so that I can understand our industry's current issues, learn and teach alongside you, and provide any connections I can (as we know intros are often gatekept!). I want to work in an industry where LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people are paid fairly, where talent of marginalized identities are booked on all projects, not just projects about marginalization, where our ideas are green-lit, and where our differences are celebrated.

Corey Gumbs (he/him)

Corey Gumbs is a podcast development strategist and community builder. He works with content creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses to create audience-driven ecosystems based around their podcasts and content delivery platforms. Also, Corey is the founder of the Black Podcasters Association (BPA). BPA is a community for Black podcast creatives and professionals, providing a network of support and education, for like-minded people. Furthermore, he is also the founder of BlkPodNews.com, the first podcast industry trade newsletter curated for Black podcast creatives and podcast-adjacent professionals within the podcast industry. In addition to running the Black Podcasters Association, Corey also has an extensive background in recording as an independent hip-hop producer. He currently runs Black Label Mobile Studio, a full-service podcast production and recording service that offers mobile recording and production in the NYC metropolitan area and beyond. Corey also co-hosts along with Nya B., the Instagram Live show, PodHour which airs every Tuesday at 6 PM Est. on the Black Podcasters Association’s Instagram account.

Candidate Statement 

Since joining AIR, I have met some wonderful people and come to love the organization and its purpose. I currently run a podcast community dedicated to helping Black podcasters and the professionals within the industry to achieve their content creation goals. I have gained a lot of support from my community members, and built some wonderful friendships in the process. During this time, I have learned to use what I call "member driven content" to help shape the community and create a culture in which all of my members play a role in the progress, direction, and overall value of the community.  This process requires me to always be in tune with, check in on, and to communicate daily with my members to be on top of their ever changing needs. It allows me to recognize pain points, areas of confusion, and create opportunities that they didnt even realize they wanted or needed. Over the past 3 years of doing this, I can say, this has become a part of who I am, as a person. It has made me more attentive, understanding, and deliberate in the actions I take and relationships I have built. I feel like this skill set can bring some value to AIR and its members but my tenure on the board will also allow me to become a better leader not just for the AIR community, but the industry on a whole.