Executive Compensation at NPR (2020)

NPR (National Public Radio) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization that serves as a national syndicator to about 800 public radio stations through its member stations. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NPR strives to keep the public informed of events, ideas, and cultures through its programming.

In 2020, NPR raised $278 million (compared to $278 million in 2019), primarily from program services  and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $283 million (not including $9 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,307 employees were compensated $167 million, which equates to an average compensation of $128,000. However, only 618 employees (47% of total employees compared to 38% in 2018) received more than $100,000.

The 33 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

• $599,502:  Jarl Mohn, NPR President and CEO (to 10/14/19)
• $528,502:  Jonathan D Hart, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel
• $515,196:  Steven A Inskeep, Host, Morning Edition and Up First
• $493,803:  Loren A Mayor, President, Operations (to 3/15/20)
• $482,907:  Peter D Sagal, Host, WWDTM
• $477,914:  Scott Simon, Host, We and Up First
• $459,532:  Nancy C Barnes, SVP, News and Editorial
• $427,008:  Thomas R Hjelm, Chief Digital Officer
• $408,810:  Deborah C Cowan, CFO and Treasurer
• $391,764:  Robert J Schmitz, International Correspondent, Berlin
• $385,047:  Frank D Langfitt, International Correspondent, London
• $382,428:  Anya Grundmann, SVP, Programming and Aud
• $380,647:  Margaret Goldthwaite, Chief Marketing Officer (to 3/5/20)
• $339,113:  Stephanie A Witte, Chief Development Officer (to 6/15/20)
• $332,403:  Gemma Hooley, SVP, Membership Partnership
• $312,083:  Michael E Riksen, VP, Policy and Representation
• $306,680:  Christopher A Turpin, VP, Special Projects and Innovation/Chief of Staff
• $300,194:  Michael Lutzky, VP, Business Development (to 6/1/20)
• $288,229:  Keith M Woods, VP, Diversity in News and Ops
• $285,365:  Stacey M Foxwell, VP, Operations
• $284,062:  Michael F Beach, VP, Distribution
• $278,670:  Edith C Chapin, VP and Executive Editor
• $276,893:  Joel A Sucherman, VP, New Platform Partnership
• $273,330:  Michelle M Shanahan, Assistant Secretary
• $269,613:  Sarah C Gilbert, VP, News Programming
• $269,124:  Matthew S Myers, VP, Brand and Marketing (to 9/30/20)
• $269,115:  Kerry I Lenahan, VP, Product
• $261,256:  Christopher T Nelson, VP, Technology Operations
• $223,174:  Elisabeth G Lang, Assistant Treasurer
• $221,363:  Elizabeth Danzico, VP, Design
• $219,518:  Emily M Littleton, VP, Corp Communications
• $198,912:  Carrie Storer, Chief HR Officer
• $197,430:  Stanley M Garrison, VP, Tech Ops and Broadcast Engineering (to 7/6/19)

The 33 most highly compensated employees received nearly $12 million in compensation.  17 of thee 33 most highly compensated employees are male while 16 of the 33 are female. Note:  gender is not reported on the Form 990; determination was based based on name and google searches.

NPR paid for travel for companions, a residence for personal use or housing allowance, and made gross up payments or tax indemnifications.  Specifically, reimbursement of relocation expenses to Nancy Barnes were grossed up to $34,451; reimbursement of relocation expenses to Noelle Lacharite  were grossed up to $1,392.

NPR covers certain costs for all correspondents while on foreign assignment, including housing, travel for home leave, tuition expenses for children, tax assistance, and other expenses associated with living and working abroad.

Stephanie With received severance payments totaling $76,170 and reimbursement of legal costs totaling $15,000.

78 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five (5) highest reported to be:

• $7.5 million:  Whyy, Inc., of Philadelphia, PA for acquired programs
• $3.7 million:  TED Conferences, LLC, of New York, NY for acquired programs
• $3.0 million:  WBUR Boston University, of Boston, MA for acquired programs
• $1.9 million:  C & W Facility Services, of Chicago, IL for facility maintenance and janitorial
• $1.9 million:  WAMU, of Washington, DC for acquired programs

To read the IRS Form 990 (2019 for the year ending 9/30/2020), click here.