(Rochester, NY) September 29, 2025 – WXXI has won an “Excellence in Broadcasting” award and a “Serving New York” award from the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYBSA). NYSBA awards recognize outstanding achievement among radio and TV stations in New York State.  

The “Excellence in Broadcasting” award in the “Outstanding Feature” category went to WXXI News’ senior producer and editor Veronica Volk for her story “A Rochester mother and daughter took a road trip for the last eclipse. They returned forever changed.” 

“In the Key of Z: Classical,” a digital-first series celebrating emerging classical talent in the Rochester region with students from The Hochstein School and Eastman Community Music School was honored with the “Serving New York” award. Hosted by WXXI Classical mid-day host Steve Johnson, the five-part series features captivating live performances and insightful interviews that introduce audiences to the next generation of classical performers. The production team includes Katie Epner, producer, videographer, and editor, Audio Engineer Andrew Croucher and motion graphics by Jeff Coles Smith. Support for “In the Key of Z: Classical” was provided by The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming and Underberg & Kessler, LLP.  

The NYSBA Awards ceremony was held in Rochester, NY on Tuesday, September 23 at The Strathallan.  

Pictured (L-R): Ruth Phinney, WXXI Classical Program Director; Joanna Bassett from The Hochstein School; Steve Johnson, WXXI Classical mid-day host and host of “In the Key of Z”; Katie Epner, producer of “In the Key of Z”; and Petar Kodzas from the Eastman Community Music School accepting the “Serving New York” award for “In the Key of Z.”

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Rogers also assisted in the acquisition of The Little Theatre, helping to increase WXXI’s reach from on-air and online to on-stage and on-screen and supporting The Little’s conversion to Digital Cinema Projection. She was instrumental in establishing Rochester Area Media Partners, a for-profit subsidiary of WXXI, and its acquisition of CITY News, now City Magazine, as well as the purchase of an FM signal for NPR and WXXI News.  

“Sue’s history with WXXI is remarkable—her vision and leadership over nearly three decades have shaped this organization in ways that will resonate for generations. As someone new to WXXI and to Rochester, I have been deeply grateful for Sue’s guidance,” said WXXI President and CEO Chris Hastings. “She has helped me connect not only with the history of this institution but also with the spirit of the community it serves. Her steady hand has made it possible for me to step into this role with confidence, knowing that I am building on a foundation she helped create.” 

While Rogers has seen many successful projects come to light, she is most proud of helping move the organization past a focus on television and radio broadcasting to a broader mission of strengthening the community through a wide range of efforts. 

“It has been my privilege and honor, and most of the time a great pleasure, to work in public media, specifically at WXXI. Its importance to our culture and democracy has never been clearer,” said Rogers. “I intend to remain an avid supporter and cheerleader as the valuable work educating the community continues.” 

In addition to her work at WXXI, Rogers was active in numerous organizations that support women, education, and public media. She served as board chair of Eastern Region Public Media, board member of directors for Women Helping Girls of the AAUW and taught a class on “Broadcasting in the Digital Age” at the University of Rochester. Currently she serves on the Board of the Judson Women’s Leadership Center at Alfred University and on the industrial advisory board for Rochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.  

Before joining WXXI in 1996, Rogers was an Associate Professor and the Director of the Office of Distance Learning at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she was recognized as a leader in educational technology and distance learning. 

In 2006, Rogers earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education. She’s also an alumnus of Alfred University, where she received both her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Master’s in Education degree. She resides in Brighton, NY, with her husband Scott Regan. 

Rogers’ last full-time day at WXXI is September 29, but her wisdom and guidance will continue as she consults with the CEO part-time while WXXI enters an exciting new chapter. 

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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  

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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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

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“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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