JAYME SWAIN

Jayme Swain is the first woman to serve as president and CEO of VPM and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media.

She leads a 100-person team that creates content and programs for a network of public media television and radio stations and digital properties serving Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, a notable achievement in a time when many news outlets are shrinking.

Swain, who has more than 20 years of experience in broadcast, print and digital media, says she hasn’t thought much about her status as a “first,” but she recognizes that she’s paving the way for the next generation of women leaders.

“I’m proud to be the first female president and CEO,” she says, “I’ve spent much of my career in male-dominant industries, such as news and sports, and I’ve worked hard in these environments to help women be seen as equals at the table.”

Before joining VPM in 2019, Swain spent nearly a decade as senior vice president of strategy and operations at the Arlington-based Public Broadcasting Service. She enjoyed her time working in national public media but felt called to make a difference at the local level. Her passion is delivering news to keep people informed and engaged with the community.

“When people ask me what keeps me up at night, it’s really the collapse of local journalism across this country,” she says. “I think local journalism is the bedrock of an informed society.”