YR Media Adds to Leadership Team in Development, Creative and Technology
Award-winning youth media organization expands executive team during rapid growth and amid expansion
OAKLAND – January 27, 2022 – YR Media is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rochelle Reeder as Chief Development and Growth Officer, along with the promotions of Cari Campbell to Chief Technology Officer and Pedro Vega Jr. to Chief Creative Officer. Following a banner year in 2021, the three additions to YR Media’s leadership team will expand the nonprofit organization’s widespread impact. The timing of these appointments is critical as the 26-year-old Oakland-based production powerhouse grows its youth content creation programs through several significant grant awards, including a $2.5 million unrestricted grant from the Mackenzie Scott and Dan Jewett Foundation.
Rochelle Reeder, Chief Development and Growth Officer
As Chief Development and Growth Officer, Reeder is tasked with sustaining YR Media’s unprecedented development and fundraising momentum. With more than 15 years of philanthropic experience successfully raising funds in arts organizations, charitable foundations, and higher education institutions, Reeder is highly skilled in major gift fundraising, alumni engagement, and volunteer and program management. In her short time at YR Media, she has already proven instrumental in identifying funding opportunities from a wide range of donors. Reeder holds an MA in Philanthropy and Development from Lagrange College.
Cari Campbell, Chief Technology Officer
Campbell was recently promoted to Chief Technology Office after serving as YR Media’s Technology Director since 2017. In her new role, she is responsible for developing the company’s technology strategy for growth. Campbell is a mission-driven technology leader with more than 25 years of experience working in collaborative and innovative environments. She previously worked in a diverse range of digital media settings, including production management and educational programming at New College of California, music production at Prime Loops in London, and high-growth scaling at the Bay-area startup, Delectable. Campbell received her MFA from Stanford University and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications and Studio Art from Mills College.
Pedro Vega Jr., Chief Creative Officer
Vega Jr. joined YR Media in September of 2020 as Creative Director during the thrust of the COVID-19 global pandemic. He quickly made his mark on the organization by unifying and streamlining the company’s creative services offerings, and by providing support and guidance to YR Media’s young content creators in the areas of digital design, graphics, video, photography and illustration. In his new role as Chief Creative Officer, Vega Jr. will build a robust creative department for YR Media to provide the next generation of content creators with career pathways and media arts training. He also will help drive YR Media’s vision of an inclusive media industry where BIPOC and other traditionally underrepresented groups lead the way in shaping the future of media. Prior to joining YR Media, Vega Jr. served as Creative Director and Co-Owner of Wasena Creative, LLC., and as Creative Director for Ebony Media Operations (previously Johnson Publishing Company). Vega Jr. earned his BFA in graphic design from The School of Visual Arts in New York City.
“I am incredibly proud of the executive team we have built at YR Media, and believe this group of highly talented leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives will accelerate our recent wins and successes throughout 2022 and beyond,” said Kyra Kyles, CEO, YR Media. “Both Pedro and Cari have gone above and beyond the call of duty – amidst a global pandemic, nonetheless – and their promotions are very well deserved. Rochelle has made an immediate impact on our development and fundraising efforts by forging and nurturing relationships with our generous donors and partners. All three leaders are invaluable assets to fulfilling our mission of providing a voice to talented young content creators across the country.”
For more information about YR Media, its mission, vision, and executive team, please visit yrmedia.org.
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About YR Media
YR Media, formerly Youth Radio, is an award-winning national network of diverse young journalists and artists from underrepresented communities who create content for this generation. Headquartered in downtown Oakland, California, our non-profit has spent 25 years helping future generations build crucial skills in journalism, arts and media. We produce journalism, music, graphic design, podcasts and documentaries that disrupt and shape the mainstream narrative.