(July 29, 2025) — WXXI Public Media is proud to announce the appointment of Julio Sáenz as the organization’s first Chief Content Officer. A respected journalist, media executive, and community advocate, Sáenz brings more than two decades of experience in multiplatform storytelling, strategic communications, and public service.  

As WXXI faces deep federal funding cuts following the recent rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting appropriations, the station is doubling down on its core values: trust, local relevance, and inclusive storytelling.  

“Yes, we are facing difficult headwinds after the federal cuts to public media but WXXI is choosing to meet this moment with purpose,” said WXXI President & CEO Christopher Hastings. “Hiring Julio is an investment in our future. His deep roots in Rochester, combined with his extraordinary talent and entrepreneurial spirit, make

him the right leader to help us reimagine what local public media can be: hyperlocal, representative, and in service to the communities we call home.”  

As Chief Content Officer, Sáenz will lead the strategic vision and coordination of all content produced and distributed by WXXI across its platforms. This includes WXXI Television (WXXI-TV, WORLD, Create, and WXXI Kids 24/7 channels), WXXI Radio (WXXI News, WXXI Classical, The Route), CITY Magazine, The Little Theatre, and all digital and on-demand content on YouTube. He will oversee editorial planning and contribute to audience development, and community engagement initiatives — ensuring that WXXI’s work reflects the full diversity of the Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.  

Sáenz will work in close partnership with Hastings, WXXI President & CEO to reshape and unify the organization’s content strategy across all platforms. Together, they will lead a transformation that centers audience impact, strengthens local storytelling, and aligns the efforts of WXXI’s content teams. Sáenz will also spearhead the development of WXXI’s podcast strategy, expand original documentary and video storytelling, and cultivate new partnerships with independent producers — positioning WXXI as both a trusted community voice and a national distributor of compelling, inclusive content.  

This new role reflects WXXI’s commitment to innovation, relevance, and equity in public media.  

Sáenz’s career spans both national and local leadership. He founded ConXion, one of the nation’s first bilingual Latino publications, and launched Poder 97.1 FM, the first 24-hour Latin radio station in the state outside of New York City. He served as General Manager of Mundo Hispánico at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he led the newsroom to win 35 national journalism awards and oversaw a dramatic increase in digital and social media reach.  

In Rochester, Sáenz has led communications at MVP Health Care, Common Ground Health, and Ibero-American Action League. He also teaches in the School of Communications at Rochester Institute of Technology and has served on the boards of WXXI, The Little Theatre, Jordan Health, and Causewave Community Partners.  

“It’s an incredible honor to join WXXI at such a pivotal moment,” said Sáenz. “Public media has the power and the responsibility to reflect, uplift, and connect the communities we serve. I look forward to working with this talented team to elevate diverse voices, expand our impact, and help reimagine what community-centered public media can be in Rochester and beyond.” 

Sáenz will begin his new role on Monday, August 4, 2025.  

For media inquiries, please contact:  
Kristin Tutino  
Communications Manager 
WXXI Public Media  
Email: ktutino@wxxi.org  

Rochester, New York (July 1, 2025) – WXXI Public Media today announces the promotion of Mona Isler to Chief of Staff. Isler has been with the public media organization since 2013, serving as the Executive Office Administrator to the President & CEO and Executive Vice President, and liaison to the Board of Trustees. In her new position, she will serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader to the President & CEO, ensuring that the CEO’s priorities are effectively executed across the organization. 

“Mona Isler has always been the heart of WXXI, ensuring our mission reaches every corner of our organization and our community,” said President & CEO Chris Hastings. “As I continue to reshape my leadership team, Mona is exactly the strategic partner I need – her talent, dedication, and deep local connections will help us guide WXXI into its next chapter.” 

As Chief of Staff, Isler will also oversee cross-departmental coordination, managing key strategic initiatives, and providing leadership in board governance

and external  community relations.  She will continue to serve as the liaison to the Board of Trustees and the Community Advisory Board.  

A strong supporter of this community, Isler’s volunteer work includes serving on the board of the Susan B. Anthony Museum. She previouslyserved as the Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee of the Interdenominational Health Ministry Coalition, which assists faith organizations in developing, sustaining, and growing health ministries to help mitigate health disparities in communities of color.  She also sat on the Wilmont Cancer Center African American Advisory Council, HealthiKids PlayRocs Advocacy Group, and served as a Support Group Volunteer for the Greater Rochester Scleroderma Support Group. She was previously a member of the Center for Community Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Council. 

 Isler is a graduate of the United Way’s African American Leadership Development Program, Class of 2016. She was a nominee in the inaugural class of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success DEI Awards in 2022.  

 Isler has two adult children, Andrew and Aja, and is the grandmother to her pride and joy, Aizen. She enjoys doing improvisational comedy with her troupe Guilt & Mirrors, baking, and traveling. 

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(Rochester, NY) September 24, 2024 – WXXI Public Media has hired Hannah Maier as Music Director of The Route. Maier, who currently hosts Candyland Monday nights on WRUR-FM 88.5 (Rochester)/WITH-FM 90.1 (Ithaca), takes on her new role with a strong focus on music discovery on Monday, September 30th.

As Music Director, Maier will play a vital role in shaping the musical identity of The Route. Her responsibilities include discovering fresh music and emerging artists, both locally and nationally, while actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with regional talent. Maier is committed to ensuring that The Route serves as a place for homegrown artists, strengthening its ties to the Finger Lakes community. She will also host The Route’s 2-6 p.m. shift every weekday, offering her audience a carefully curated listening experience each afternoon.

Active in the local music scene, Maier is the lead singer and guitarist for the country band Candy. She is also the owner of Mom’s Home Booking, a full-service booking agency curating events with a focus on music shows of all genres and origins. Prior to joining The Route, Maier worked for Sound Source.

Maier has a bachelors in fine arts from Alfred University. 

Photo: Hannah Maier • Credit: Kevin Indovino
Contact: Kristin Tutino, WXXI Communications Manager

(Rochester, NY) September 10, 2024 – WXXI Public Media is excited to announce the appointment of Chris Hastings as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Hastings brings to WXXI a rich and diverse background in public media, joining from GBH in Boston, where he served as Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief of the WORLD Channel. Throughout his career, Hastings has been dedicated to creating content that connects with local communities and reflects the full spectrum of American life.

Hastings began his journalism career at Black Entertainment Television (BET) as part of the original team behind the award-winning news talk show “BET Tonight.” This formative experience focused on covering critical issues within the Black community and sparked Hastings’s commitment to inclusive storytelling in public media.

“BET was where I first realized the power of media to inform and inspire communities,” Hastings reflects. “It was an invaluable experience that shaped my approach to content curation storytelling and public engagement.”

After BET, Hastings transitioned to GBH in Boston, where he spent over 20 years wearing many hats and making significant contributions across various projects and platforms. He initially worked on the beloved children’s live-action series “ZOOM,” where he honed his skills in helping to produce content that engaged young audiences through interactive and educational programming.

Hastings then turned his focus to local public affairs, working on and supporting post-production on several of GBH’s local flagship programs, including “Greater Boston,” “Basic Black,” and “La Plaza.” These local programs were instrumental in addressing the needs and interests of local communities, from exploring critical social issues to celebrating cultural diversity. “Working on these local public affairs programs allowed me to dive deep into the fabric of Boston’s diverse communities and understand the unique role public media plays in fostering informed and engaged citizens,” Hastings noted.

As digital media began to evolve, Hastings led the innovative WGBH Lab, a platform designed to experiment with new forms of storytelling and engage with audiences in creative ways. Under his leadership, WGBH Lab became a hub for emerging content creators, pushing the boundaries of traditional media and exploring the intersection of technology and storytelling.

His work at the WGBH Lab led to WORLD Channel. Hastings has served as Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief for the national public media platform, where he continued his mission to elevate diverse perspectives through critically acclaimed documentary series. This includes “America ReFramed,” “Local USA,” and “Doc World,” which he co-created and has lead curation and production for more than 12 years. These series have provided a platform for underrepresented voices and stories, reinforcing Hastings’s commitment to inclusivity and community-focused content.

“Chris is an extraordinary leader whose career reflects a profound dedication to public media and its role in serving all communities,” said David M. Tang, Chair of the WXXI Board of Trustees. “His extensive experience, from his early days at BET to his dynamic leadership at GBH, uniquely positions him to lead WXXI with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to diversity.”

Hastings’s approach to public media is rooted in the belief that it should serve as a bridge, connecting diverse communities and fostering understanding. “Public media has the unique ability to reach across divides and bring people together,” Hastings shared. “I am excited to join WXXI, a station with a strong legacy of community engagement, and to continue to help present content that not only informs but also inspires and empowers.”

“Joining WXXI and coming to Rochester is more than just a career move — it’s a chance to be part of a community-focused organization that understands the transformative power of local media. WXXI’s work demonstrates how a local station can act as a pillar of support, education, and cultural enrichment for its community, and I am excited to lead and expand upon this essential mission.”

A graduate of Kutztown State University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications, Hastings furthered his education with a Master of Arts in Film from American University in Washington, D.C. Originally from Chester, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Hastings remains deeply connected to his roots, where most of his family still resides. He is also a proud father and husband, values that have deeply influenced his career and commitment to community-focused storytelling.

His work has earned numerous awards, including the Peabody Award, duPont-Columbia Award, News & Documentary Emmy Award, and International Documentary Association Award. Beyond his professional achievements, Hastings is a champion of independent film distribution through the public media system. He frequently partners with ITVS, American Documentary Inc., and public media stations across the country to ensure diverse stories reach broad audiences. Hastings is also passionate about nurturing new talent and regularly collaborates with organizations such as the National Multicultural Alliance and Firelight Media to support emerging voices in the industry.

Hastings will begin his role at WXXI on November 11, 2024, succeeding Norm Silverstein, who has been WXXI’s President & CEO since 1995. Under Silverstein’s leadership, WXXI expanded significantly, growing from a single television station and two radio stations to multiple television and radio channels, The Little Theatre, and CITY Magazine.

WXXI looks forward to this new chapter under Hastings, a leader dedicated to using public media to reflect, serve, and connect all communities in Rochester and beyond.

Photo credit: Patricia Alvarado Nuñez

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WXXI News has won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) in the ‘News Series’ category for “Avoiding loneliness is a challenge for some older adults living on their own.”  The winning series was written and produced by WXXI News reporter and “Morning Edition” local host Beth Adams.

The two-part series looks at loneliness in older adults. Part one features an older woman who realized she needed to find connections with other adults after her husband was diagnosed with dementia. In part two of the series, an older woman shares how she’s coping with living alone as she ages.

The RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news. Honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism, RTDNA recognizes local and national news stories that uphold the RTDNA Code of Ethics, demonstrate technical expertise, and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community. 

The regional Edward R. Murrow Award winners now move on to the national round of the competition. National winners will be announced in August of 2024.

Photo: WXXI News reporter and “Morning Edition” local host Beth Adams
Credit: John Schlia Photography