(646) 829-4400
dmcgruder@nypublicradio.org
Depelsha McGruder is Chief Operating Officer at New York Public Radio (NYPR). She joined NYPR in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer, with the responsibility of leading key internal functions including human resources, legal, engineering / IT, archives and internal communications, ensuring continuous improvements in processes, policies, workspace and talent strategy. She also oversees strategic planning, operations and digital for NYPR and directs the implementation of a sustainable growth plan to strengthen and expand WNYC’s local news operation, position WNYC Studios as an incubator of new voices, and create a global classical music audio platform.
Depelsha McGruder is Chief Operating Officer of New York Public Radio, responsible for leading key internal functions including human resources, legal, engineering / IT, archives and internal communications, ensuring continuous improvements in processes, policies, workspace and talent strategy. She also oversees strategy and operations, business development and digital for NYPR and is responsible for developing a sustainable growth plan to strengthen and expand WNYC’s local news operation, position WNYC Studios as an incubator of new voices, and create a global classical music platform.
Prior to joining NYPR, McGruder spent 17 years at Viacom in senior leadership positions at both MTV and BET Networks. While there, she launched the video-on-demand, broadband and mobile businesses for MTV. She also led the launch of two Viacom cable TV networks designed to superserve diverse audiences -- MTV Tr3s for US Latino youth and Centric for African-American adults -- creating the branding, programming, distribution, sales and partnership strategies. Post-launch, Depelsha led day to day operations for both networks, managing Strategy & Operations, Programming, Music & Talent, Strategic Partnerships, Digital & Social Media and had broad responsibilities for Finance, Legal, HR, and Tech. Both networks experienced triple digit increases in audience growth and revenue under her leadership. At BET, she led an organizational culture transformation, which she helped to implement. Earlier in her career, McGruder was an on-air reporter, anchor, and producer for two local television stations in Georgia.
McGruder is also the Founder and President of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. and M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc., sister organizations that are dedicated to positively influencing how Black boys and men are perceived and treated by law enforcement and in society. She holds a B.A. from Howard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
