Edward F. O'Keefe Takes the Helm of The WNET Group as New CEO

Edward F. O'Keefe Takes the Helm of The WNET Group

On July 23, 2026, The WNET Group's Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Edward F. O'Keefe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. O'Keefe succeeded Neal Shapiro, who will retire at the end of the year after nearly two decades of leadership at the nation's largest public media organization. Set to officially assume his role on September 21, O'Keefe comes to WNET after serving as the founding CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.

As the founding head of the newly launched $450 million institution, O'Keefe was pivotal in honoring the legacy of America’s 26th President. His extensive background includes more than 20 years in influential roles across various media platforms such as ABC News, CNN, and NowThis. His journalistic achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including a prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for his collaboration with Anthony Bourdain, along with multiple Webby Awards and the Edward R. Murrow Award, further enhanced by a George Foster Peabody Award for his work on ABC News' coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In addition to his commendable media career, O'Keefe is also a published author; his book, The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women in the Arena, was released by Simon & Schuster in 2024. His academic credentials include graduating with honors from Georgetown University, complemented by a former fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School focused on entrepreneurship.

The Chairman of the WNET Board of Trustees, James Attwood, expressed confidence in O'Keefe’s vision and leadership capabilities. He emphasized O'Keefe's unique qualifications in nonprofit governance, editorial best practices, and digital innovation, deeming him an ideal choice to steer WNET into its future. Attwood remarked, "Ed O'Keefe embodies the perfect blend of nonprofit leadership and operational expertise essential for WNET, especially at this crucial time for public media."

Upon receiving his new role, O'Keefe expressed profound gratitude, stating, "It’s a great honor to return to my roots and lead an institution as vital as WNET. Independent public media can creatively navigate the evolving media landscape, free from commercial pressures, allowing us to innovate while serving the audiences we cherish. Our commitment is to relay important narratives that truly matter. I look forward to a smooth transition while honoring Neal Shapiro's remarkable legacy."

Residing in New York with his wife and two children, along with their Bernese Mountain dog, O'Keefe brings a family-oriented ethos to his professional undertakings.

About The WNET Group

The WNET Group has been a cornerstone of public media, devoted to creating diverse and inspiring content for audiences throughout the nation. It operates New York’s THIRTEEN, the leading PBS station, along with other channels like WLIW, THIRTEEN PBS KIDS, ALL ARTS, and NJ Spotlight News. The group aims to enrich viewers with comprehensive programming that spans arts, culture, education, news, and entertainment, reaching over five million viewers each month. With a commitment to lifelong learning and addressing social issues, its initiatives empower individuals through educational resources and outreach programs, solidifying its position as a leading nonprofit public media producer for more than 60 years.