Katherine Maher is an American technology executive and public advocate known for her leadership roles in prominent organizations. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Public Radio (NPR), a position she assumed in late March 2024.
Prior to joining NPR, Maher was the CEO and Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation from June 2016 until her resignation in April 2021. During her tenure, she focused on global digital inclusion and the protection of information rights through technology.
In October 2023, Maher briefly served as the CEO of Web Summit, a major technology conference, before transitioning to the role of non-executive chairperson in March 2024.
In March 2025, Maher testified before a congressional subcommittee, admitting that NPR erred by not covering the Hunter Biden laptop story more aggressively or sooner. This admission came amid discussions about potential reductions in federal funding for NPR and PBS, with critics citing perceived biases in reporting.
Throughout her career, Maher has been involved in various organizations, including serving on the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board and chairing the board of directors of the Signal Foundation.
Her leadership at NPR has been marked by both internal and external challenges, including critiques of the organization’s editorial decisions and discussions about political and ideological biases. Maher has defended NPR’s record and emphasized her commitment to journalistic integrity and the First Amendment.
