As President of KCRW, Jennifer Ferro has worked to transform the institution from Southern California's flagship public radio station to a worldwide community that connects through the discovery of music, news and culture both in person, online and on the air.
Under her leadership, in addition to creating 100 hours of original programming a week, KCRW completed a $50 million capital campaign and moved into its first-ever, stand alone, state-of-the-art facility in early 2018. This new home allows KCRW to become a true community institution.
KCRW's presence includes podcasts, original content features, live event streams, a vibrant social networking community and successful mobile app. Its terrestrial signal has expanded to Santa Barbara creating that community’s first local public radio station. KCRW’s live events programming has grown to over 80 produced events throughout Los Angeles and Santa Barbara reaching over 250,000 people each year.
Ms. Ferro joined KCRW in 1994. She has held varied roles during her tenure including Assistant General Manager and Executive Producer of Good Food. She has worked in development, membership, production, operations and marketing.
Ms. Ferro serves as a Senior Fellow for the Luskin School of Public Policy at UCLA. She is on the board of NPR; and has served as the Chair of the AIR Board, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting independent producers in public media. In 2011, she was chosen as one of Los Angeles’ Game Changing Women Leaders Who Make an Impact in LA by Los Angeles Magazine. In 2018 Ms. Ferro was awarded the UCLA Award for public service.
Ms. Ferro earned her Bachelor's degree from UCLA. As a youth soccer coach Ferro co-founded the Women’s Coach Initiative to get more women youth soccer coaches on the field. She is also an active mentor to graduate and undergraduate students.
Jennifer Ferro on KCRW
More from KCRW
Hermanos Gutiérrez share ‘El Bueno y El Malo’: Live from KCRW HQ
ArtsEcuadorian-Swiss sibling duo Hermanos Gutiérrez unleash their instrumental Latin Western sounds at KCRW, fresh off of their Dan Auerbach-produced 2022 album El Bueno y El Malo.
Meridian Brothers activate ‘El Grupo Renacimiento’ Live From KCRW HQ
ArtsMeridian Brothers, the experimental project of Columbian composer Eblis Alvarez, brings “El Grupo Renacimiento” to life at KCRW HQ.
3 tips to win KCRW's PieFest — from one of this year's judges
Food & DrinkHow do you bake the perfect pie? We asked one of PieFest's longest-serving judges, Valerie Gordon.
5 Songs to Hear This Week: Meet KCRW’s Young Creators Project, class of 2023
Best New MusicFrom knockout alt-rock to Prince homages to lyrical wisdom, we can assure you: The kids are more than alright.
18 salads, slaws, and veggie side dishes to rock your summer barbecue
Food & DrinkFrom grilled caesar salad and pocket knife coleslaw to vegan collard greens and spicy-sour tomatoes, these recipes will make you a star at any summer party.
Angelina Fanous is writing her own obituary
Health & WellnessAngelina Fanous has been living with ALS for nearly a decade. She is almost fully paralyzed and losing her ability to speak.
Ezra Collective: KCRW Live from HQ
ArtsLondon jazz quintet Ezra Collective hits KCRW HQ with cuts from their 2022 LP “Where I’m Meant To Be” — including “Victory Dance,” and “Welcome To My World.”
6 winning recipes from KCRW's 2023 pie contest
RecipesBlueberry pie. Mississippi mud pie. Sukiyaki pie. Step into the PieFest winners' circle with some award-winning pie recipes.
Texts and mental health services could replace cash bail in LA
LawA judge ruled that keeping a person locked up because they can’t afford bail is unconstitutional in most cases in LA – for now.