Myrna Johnson

Myrna Johnson has been Iowa Public Radio's Executive Director since January 2014. In this role, Johnson oversees all aspects of IPR's 26-station network. Under Johnson's leadership, IPR has experienced significant growth in both fundraising and audience. Initiatives have included growing IPR's news team statewide and building a digital team, and digital services, including podcasts, music videos, newsletters and streaming services.

Johnson's public radio experience includes working in the government affairs office of NPR for eight years (1987-1995), and serving on the Friends Board and then Board of Directors of KUNC-FM in Greeley, Colorado from 1997-2005. While at KUNC, Johnson was involved in the successful 20-day $2 million campaign to purchase KUNC's license from the University of Northern Colorado, and was the board lead on the strategic planning process that outlined the plan for transitioning KUNC from a University licensee to a Community licensee. Prior to joining IPR in January 2014, Johnson built and led the governement affairs office of the Outdoor Industry Association and served as Executive Director of the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, an initiative by the City of Boston to revitalize and green Boston's schoolyards. Johnson grew up in Ruthven, a rural community in northwest Iowa.

She has a B.A. from Wartburg College and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. 

Contact Myrna at mjohnson@iowapublicradio.org or 515-725-1700.