I am Susan Young — Current PPNB Chair running for reelection as a Pacifica Forward candidate.
Since its founding in 1946, Pacifica has met the challenges of fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, power outages, bombings, financial threats, lawsuits, physical violence against staff, volunteers and board members, dysfunctional bylaws, FCC and IRS compliance issues and the loss of CPB funding.
THE PACIFICA FOUNDATION IS STILL HERE!!!
Listeners, staff, volunteers and donors who have devoted time, heart and treasure to the network and all five stations have made this possible.
Pacifica is uniquely positioned in a dynamic media universe to be a voice against war, domestic violence, discrimination and environmental destruction. The Pacifica Forward coalition works as a team to advance progress in governance, management and financial sustainability needed to uphold our mission and expand national coverage of breaking news produced by five stations and 200+ affiliates around the country and abroad.
Serving as PNB chair since 2024, I have helped:
-End years of costly litigation through mediation and court approved bylaws that permit all members to vote directly for the national and their own local station boards;
-Preserve Pacifica’s priceless archives;
-Reduce Pacifica debt and increase financial accountability and regulatory compliance;
-Establish policies and procedures for hiring capable, productive managers;
-Establish guidelines for safe, respectful and productive meetings.
Now retired, I have served on the boards of Pacifica, KPFT, the ACLU of Texas and organizations for the arts, parks, housing, international relations, voter engagement and neighborhood planning and advocacy. I served on the first KPFT LSB in 2002, three years as Chair, and then on the CAB.
I ran for the LSB after organizing the Cities for Peace effort to oppose waging war on Iraq enlisting the support of 8 courageous Houston City Council members and progressive icons Sissy Farenthold, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza and Reverend Bill Lawson who spearheaded desegregation in Houston.
I have served on all PNB committees, currently chair the Personnel Committee, and have raised thousands of dollars for Pacifica to help meet financial emergencies and support the programming I cherish on KPFT.
My experience with pubic finance, government, non-profit management and Pacifica governance at the national and local levels have prepared me to serve as PNB Chair protecting the future of Pacifica at this critical moment in national and global history.
Please vote for me and the Pacifica Forward team of candidates who can work together to build on progress in strengthening Pacifica.
Endorsed by Egberto Willies, Brian Edwards Tiekert, Philip Maldari.