Jon Abbott, CEO, GBH

Jon Abbott is the president and CEO of GBH, America’s leading multiplatform creator for public media and the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX. A nationally recognized public media leader, Abbott has transformed the way GBH creates and distributes diverse educational content to millions of Americans throughout New England and across the nation. Abbott has expanded GBH’s investment, impact and reach in communities across Massachusetts with multiplatform services online and on the air and a significant expansion of local journalism, including launching GBH 89.7, an NPR news affiliate in Boston with regional bureaus that cover and connect the Commonwealth. His commitment to equity and accessibility to media that fosters citizenship and learning led to the launch of PBS LearningMedia, a free, national online service offering classroom-ready digital resources for educators in all 50 states. He collaborated on the creation of two national digital television services, WORLD and CREATE, in partnership with PBS, and has championed innovations to strengthen the entire public media system. Abbott joined GBH in 1998 and was named President and CEO in 2007. Prior to GBH, he served as Senior Vice President for Development and Corporate Relations at PBS and in senior management with San Francisco public station KQED. He began his career in broadcasting in 1981 at Columbia University Station WKCR-FM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbia University and an MBA from Stanford University. He is a member of the boards of PBS, National Public Media, Contributor Development Partnership (CDP), PBS Distribution and Project Healthy Children. He is also working with the Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care to guide child care innovation in the Commonwealth. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of the John Jay Award from Columbia University.