A Culture of Belonging
We long have stated our mission with these words: “Expanding minds, sparking connections, building stronger communities.” This year, we gathered as a staff to name and define the core values that guide our pursuit of this mission: Accountability, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, Belonging, Integrity, Mutual Respect, Resourcefulness and Teamwork.
These are not just internal compass points; they are our promise to each other and to the public. By prioritizing fair and equitable policies, we support staff resilience and resourcefulness while covering the stories that matter most to our listeners, readers and viewers.
Our Mission and Values in Action
A healthy, engaged team is the heartbeat of public media. This year, we transitioned from high-level strategic goals to actionable change:
Elevating Dialogue: We have moved beyond the surface, engaging in the difficult conversations and civil dialogue needed to build a culture of continuous learning, through ongoing workshops and at events in the community at large. To this end, we value our differences, grounded in the belief that we are better and stronger when we have a broad and deep understanding of different perspectives among our staff, board, community advisors, and the communities we serve.
Listening to Our People: Just as we listen to our audience, regular, transparent feedback loops with our staff are now standard practice. This has led to a significant upward trend in morale and a deeper, shared connection to our mission. We believe that a journalism organization must be rooted in genuine curiosity, respect, and authenticity. This approach helps us to be a more competitive, supportive organization of folks who think strategically and act tactically.
Strategic Growth: Looking ahead to FY26, we centered our cultural strategy on four pillars: Shared Values, Staff Development, Stronger Connections, and Nurturing Belonging. Shaped by the staff themselves, this roadmap ensures that everyone at NHPR is empowered to bring their full, authentic self to their work.
A Mission Rooted in Inclusion
Our commitment to inclusion extends to the next generation of media professionals. By recruiting diverse talent through our paid internship program — welcoming bright minds from Syracuse, Brown and UCLA this year — we brought fresh, dynamic perspectives to our newsroom and digital platforms.
We are especially proud that a talented graduate of our Barbara and Dick Couch Fellowship for Innovation joined our newsroom reporting staff, proving that when we invest in diverse voices, we directly enhance the quality and depth of the journalism available to all of New Hampshire.
Investing in the Future
Photo credits, top to bottom: The Outside/In team (L to R) Executive Producer Taylor Quimby, Host/Senior Producer Nate Hegyi, Producer/Reporter Marina Henke, Producer/Reporter Felix Poon and Senior Producer Justine Paradis at the staff retreat. Underwriting and Development Coordinator Andrew Lakowicz, Corporate Relations Representative Tim Wright, Controller Nancy Bennet, Corporate Relations Representative Christine Maurer and Director of Technology Eric Sawyer enjoying the lunch break; Development Support Specialist Helen Sexton, Fundraising Systems Manager Lisa McCann and Leadership Circle Gift Officer Megan Fowler between training sessions.
Conversations that cut through the noise
We know your attention is pulled in a lot of different directions. That’s why we work hard to focus on substance over soundbites.
That means seeking out sources who can invite us to look at things through a new point of view. That also means, in some cases, posing tough but necessary questions to people in power. Whenever possible, we also ask for your help shaping those conversations, based on your own questions and concerns.
We promise to keep making space for perspectives you can’t find anywhere else. But we need your help to make that happen.
When you donate in any amount, you give us the support we need to keep the conversation going.
Sincerely,
Mary McIntyre
Senior Producer of News Magazines
