Ellen Oost Named COO at Louisville Public Media
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 2:40pm CT |
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 Louisville Public Media |
Louisville Public Media (LPM) has appointed Ellen Oost as Chief Operating Officer, a newly created role designed to strengthen strategic execution and deepen community engagement as the organization rolls out a new three-year plan. In her new position, Oost will work closely with President and CEO Kenya Young to coordinate cross-functional efforts and advance those initiatives.
"Oost has been instrumental in building LPM's relationships with the community," Young said, noting her ability to connect teams, audiences and the organization's three stations. "She is the right leader to help bring our strategic vision to life."
As COO, Oost will oversee community partnerships, marketing and communications, audience engagement, live events and corporate sponsorship, with a focus on strengthening LPM's presence in Louisville and beyond.
Oost joined LPM in 2018 and has led multiple revenue-generating areas, including membership, grants, major gifts and corporate sponsorship. She has directed multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns supporting newsroom expansion and overall operations, while also guiding marketing strategy and signature events such as Waterfront Wednesday and the organization's 75th anniversary celebrations. She also served as co-interim CEO from late 2024 through mid-2025 during a leadership transition.
A recipient of the 2022 Public Radio Association of Development Officers' Development Professional of the Year award, Oost currently serves on NPR's Collaborative Philanthropy Advisory Council.
As part of the leadership changes, LPM also named Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer to its leadership team, reinforcing coordination of regional and statewide news collaborations, including the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom and Kentucky Public Radio network. In addition, Director of On-Demand and Digital Strategy Laura Ellis will expand her role to align standards and audience experience across broadcast, digital and on-demand platforms.
