Come May 2025, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for Arkansas PBS will exit, putting the wheels in motion today on the search for the successor of a woman who joined the statewide noncommercial network in 2017 and “leaves behind a legacy of transformative leadership and innovative growth across content, education and community engagement.”
Courtney Pledger will be leaving, and she comments, “I have had more than eight extraordinary years at Arkansas PBS, building a phenomenal team eager to take on new challenges and collaborating with some of the very best independent creators and community partners in Arkansas. It has been my great honor to lead Arkansas PBS through a transformative time that points to the limitless potential of our statewide public media network.”
Under Pledger’s leadership, Arkansas PBS expanded its K-12 educational programming, launching “Arkansas AMI” when schools closed during the pandemic. She also developed original curriculum-based children’s programming for national PBS KIDS distribution, including the live-action series “Mystery League” and an upcoming series being developed to celebrate America 250. Pledger also introduced live high school sports coverage to Arkansas PBS and spearheaded “ArkansasLIVE,” a platform offering multi-camera, broadcast-quality live arts and cultural programming across the state.
“Courtney was and is the catalyst of our success,” said West Doss, Commission Chair for Arkansas PBS. “Her leadership has elevated Arkansas PBS to unprecedented heights, with 34 of the network’s 47 Mid-America Regional Emmys being awarded during her tenure, a number of Public Media Awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association and several original programs now broadcast nationwide by PBS. She will be greatly missed.”
The Commission will meet “as expeditiously as possible” to consider Pledger’s replacement.
