PBS Western Reserve Announces Five New Board Members

by Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist • Published on April 28, 2026

Contact: Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
330-474-5032

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS Western Reserve Announces Five New Board Members

Pawan Handa, Rita McNeil Danish, Maureen Ater, Abigail Morgan and Kathy Berta joined the PBS Western Reserve Board of Directors in fiscal year 2026.

Kent, Ohio — April 28, 2026 — PBS Western Reserve welcomed five new board members with diverse professional backgrounds in fiscal year 2026. PBS Western Reserve’s board of directors will continue working in tandem with the organization’s staff to achieve the nonprofit organization's strategic priorities, which focus on deepening regional service and sustainability.

“PBS Western Reserve is fortunate to have leaders from across the region joining the board of directors. The new board members bring important experience, perspectives and skills, which are especially needed during this time of transition for public media after the elimination of federal funding and reductions in state funding,” said PBS Western Reserve Board Chair Steve Colecchi.

The new members are local leaders and strong supporters of PBS Western Reserve’s mission to inspire lifelong learning and connection across the region through free and accessible media, educational services, and community engagement for all ages. The new members are:

Pawan Handa, a community leader who previously held several global leadership positions for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company until retiring in 2017. His dynamic 35-year career spanned research and development, manufacturing, business, and strategic management. He holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from Kansas State University. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the community as a member of the Akron Beacon Journal Citizen Editorial Board and as past chair of Ideastream Public Media’s Community Advisory Board.

Rita McNeil Danish, the founder and principal at JD² Strategists and the former CEO of Signal Ohio, where her leadership was instrumental in the establishment of newsrooms throughout the state. McNeil Danish has an extensive background of over three decades in the legal field, spanning various industries and business sectors. Her commitment to justice and equity was further demonstrated in her capacity as city attorney for both Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was instrumental in implementing significant police reforms through a landmark memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice.

Maureen “Mo” Ater, the president and CEO of ArtsinStark, where she leads efforts that elevate public art, strengthen arts organizations through grantmaking, and position arts and culture as critical to quality of place and business competitiveness. With executive leadership experience in philanthropy, media, and workforce development, Ater brings a pragmatic, results-driven approach to arts leadership. She currently serves in several community leadership roles, including as chair of the YMCA of Central Stark County and as a board member for Creative Ohio and Visit Canton.

Abigail Morgan, CEO of Direction Home Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, an organization helping older adults and people with disabilities thrive in the places they want to call home. Before working at Direction Home, Morgan held positions at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Administration for Community Living, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She holds a master’s degree in social services and a master’s in law and social policy from Bryn Mawr College, as well as a master's in business administration from Ohio University.

Kathy Berta, senior vice president at the Ohio-based public affairs and consulting firm, R Strategy Group. She has 25 years of experience in local, state, and federal government relations and advocacy; field organizing and community engagement; coalition development; and campaign leadership. Prior to her current position, she served in government relations roles with the Cleveland Municipal School District and Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland.

The full, thirteen-member list of PBS Western Reserve’s board of directors is available at PBSWesternReserve.org.

About PBS Western Reserve

PBS Western Reserve is a community organization that empowers Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through the impact of accessible public media and educational services to foster connection and lifelong learning. PBS Western Reserve presents cultural, scientific and artistic programming for awareness and enjoyment; local storytelling and access to trusted regional, state and national public affairs; experiential opportunities and community outreach for people of all ages; and educational initiatives that support the healthy development of youth.

PBS Western Reserve is made up of two separately licensed public television stations (WNEO and WEAO) and an Educational Services division operating under one 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. (NETO). WNEO was established in 1971, is licensed to the city of Alliance and serves the Youngstown designated television market. WEAO went on the air in 1975, is licensed to the city of Akron and serves the Cleveland-Akron-Canton designated television market. All programming is simulcast on both stations.