Executive Compensation at NPR (2022)

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 2022, NPR raised $306 million (compared to $288 million in 2021), primarily from program services  and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $307 million (not including $8 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,388 employees were compensated $183 million, which equates to an average compensation of $132,000. However, only 671 employees (48% of total employees) received more than $100,000.

The 31 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

• $520,714:  Steven A Inskeep, Host, Morning Edition and Up First
• $443,991:  Jonathan D Hart, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel (to 10/31/20)
• $441,525:  Scott Simon, Host, We and Up First
• $427,455:  Peter D Sagal, Host, WWDTM
• $416,434:  John Lansing, President and CEO
• $416,208:  Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer
• $412,942:  Michel Martin, Host, Morning Edition
• $401,677:  Rachel Martin, Host, Morning Edition
• $393,981:  Nancy C Barnes, SVP, News and Editorial
• $365,965:  Deborah C Cowan, CFO and Treasurer
• $358,996:  Anya Grundmann, SVP, Programming and Audio
• $355,118:  Thomas R Hjelm, Former Chief Digital Officer (to 2/28/21)
• $310,008:  Keith M Woods, Chief Diversity Officer
• $306,779:  Carrie Storer, Former Chief HR Officer (to 3/31/21)
• $305,407:  Elizabeth Allen, Chief Legal Officer, /GC/Sec)
• $292,720:  Gemma Hooley, SVP, Membership Partnership
• $287,959:  Michelle M Shanahan, Assistant Secretary (to 2/28/21)
• $287,444:  Christopher A Turpin, VP, Special Projects and Innovation/Chief of Staff
• $283,632:  Edith C Chapin, VP, News and Editorial
• $282,494:  Sarah C Gilbert, VP, News Programming
• $280,163:  Christopher T Nelson, VP, Technology Operations
• $278,596:  Leora Hanser, Chief Development Officer
• $278,092:  Elizabeth Danzico, VP, Design
• $276,709:  Michael F Beach, VP, Distribution
• $270,129:  Joel A Sucherman, VP, Audio Platform Strategy
• $265,547:  Stacey Foxwell, VP, Operations
• $227,203:  Elisabeth G Lang, Assistant Treasurer
• $224,567:  Isabel Lara, Chief Communications Officer
• $216,955:  Selyn Hong, Chief People Officer
• $213,354:  Emily M Littleton, VP, Corp Communications
• $208,038:  Kerry I Lenahan, Former VP, Product (to 9/7/21)

The 31 most highly compensated employees received $10 million in compensation.  The 7 most highly compensated employees are male.  13 of the 33 most highly compensated employees are male while 18 of the 31 are female. Note:  gender is not reported on the Form 990; determination was based based on name and google searches.

The most highly compensated employee was Steven Innskeep, the host of Morning Addition and Up First, who received $520,714 in 2022.

The four most highly compensated employees (all male) received $11 million in compensation from 2017-2022:

Steven A Innskeep:  Total Compensation 2017-2022:  $3 million

• 2022:  $520,714
• 2021:  $488,469
• 2020:  $515,196
• 2019:  $489,079
• 2018:  $509,680
• 2017:  $461,143

Jonathan D Hart:  Total Compensation 2017-2022:  $3 million

• 2022:  $443,991
• 2021:  $558,361
• 2020:  $528,502
• 2019:  $446,161
• 2018:  $470,056
• 2017:  $465,289

Scott Simon:  Total Compensation 2017-2022:  $2.7 million

• 2022:  $441,525
• 2021:  $457,331
• 2020:  $477,914
• 2019:  $424,362
• 2018:  $479,578
• 2017:  $412,092

Peter D Sagal:  Total Compensation 2018-2022:  $2.3 million

• 2022:  $427,455
• 2021:  $426,827
• 2020:  $482,907
• 2019:  $416,465
• 2018:  $429,280
• 2017:  None Listed

NPR  made gross up payments or tax indemnifications.  See the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III Supplemental Information for more details.

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.

Severance payments totaled  nearly $900,000 among 4 employees (Mr. Hart, Mr. Hjelm, Mr. Lutzky, and Mr Myers).  See the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III Supplemental Information for more details.

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

• $16.2 million:  Whyy, Inc., of Philadelphia, PA for acquired programs
• $ 3.7 million:  Built In Productions c/o United Talent, of NY, NY for host services
• $ 3.0 million:  WAMU, of Washington, DC for acquired programs
• $ 2.6 million:  WBUR Boston University, of Boston, MA for acquired programs
• $ 2.3 million:  TED Conferences, LLC, of New York, NY for acquired programs

To read the IRS Form 990 (2021 for the year ending 9/30/2022), click here.