LaFontaine E. Oliver

LaFontaine E. Oliver is the President and CEO of New York Public Radio (NYPR) — the largest public radio organization in the country, a leading national podcast producer, and an essential source for trustworthy local news and classical music for New Yorkers. NYPR reaches millions of people every week — across WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio.

A leader in public radio and local journalism, Oliver brings over 20 years of experience in both national and regional markets to NYPR. His record of success spans forging innovative programming, expanding and diversifying audiences, growing revenue, and championing the mission-driven, local/national news model of public radio.

From 2019-2022, Oliver served as President and CEO of Your Public Radio (WYPR) in Baltimore. During his tenure, he led the station through the unprecedented changes of the pandemic, while growing revenue and listenership. He launched a new health reporting desk and podcast, and oversaw the acquisition of station WTMD from Towson University. Oliver also drove the expansion of the WYPR newsroom, implementing a joint operating agreement with digital news startup The Baltimore Banner.

Oliver served on the NPR Board of Directors for seven years, including two terms as its chair, from 2020-2022. Working closely and collaboratively with the Board and CEO, Oliver’s tenure included the development of a new strategic plan, a deeper investment in podcasting, an increased focus on partnership with member stations, and the founding of NPR’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Prior to WYPR, Oliver spent six years at the helm of WMFE in Central Florida. He helped establish and grow local, regional, and national reporting partnerships with journalism outlets, including ProPublica, Marketplace Reporting Hub, and the Florida Center for Investigative reporting. Under Oliver’s leadership, the station spearheaded innovative engagement initiatives to connect with the area’s diverse and vibrant communities. Between 2007-2013, Oliver was General Manager of WEAA, a jazz and talk station based at Morgan State University in Maryland. The station’s growth under his leadership led to an invitation to present alongside the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to HBCU presidents and vice presidents at the 2009 White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Conference.

Earlier in his career, Oliver worked in commercial and satellite radio, including SiriusXM and Urban One. The common thread across all of his work has been a commitment to increasing service to diverse communities.

Oliver holds an MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University, and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Miami, where he began his broadcast career working for the University’s radio station.