DRiWaterstone Human Capital Assists WJCT Public Media with CEO Search
October 2, 2026 – DRiWaterstone Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Karen Feagins as president and CEO of WJCT Public Media, the independent, community-owned public media organization serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. “Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media,” said Bill Hendrich, chair of the WJCT Public Media board of trustees and chair of WJCT’s executive search committee. “She is a talented executive who has a passion for public media and serving the community in which she lives. Her career path provides great insight into the needs of all the communities that make up WJCT’s service area. I am excited to welcome her back as our new president and CEO.”
“A seasoned journalist with a lifelong passion for public media, Karen brings a wealth of experience, deeply respected relationships throughout North Florida and an unwavering commitment to serving our community,” said Anne Madsen, vice chair of the WJCT Public Media board of trustees. “Having previously served as a WJCT employee and member of the board of trustees, Karen combines a deep appreciation for our legacy with a forward-looking vision for the future. With her leadership, insight and understanding of our community’s evolving needs, WJCT is uniquely positioned to strengthen its impact, embrace new opportunities and continue inspiring and informing audiences across the region.”
Ms. Feagins is an accomplished leader with deep ties to WJCT. She held progressive leadership positions within the organization from 2005 to 2018, rising from the ranks of a daily news reporter and “Morning Edition” host, to overseeing WJCT’s content and operations and ultimately serving as Chief Operating Officer. She transitioned into the private sector in 2018 as PNC Bank’s first client and community relations director for the North Florida market.
During that time she remained connected to WJCT, serving for seven years on the board of trustees and volunteering on-air during pledge drives. At PNC Bank, Ms. Feagins has been instrumental in growing the bank’s relationships with corporate clients and community partners. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, Leadership Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, The 5 & Dime and Florida Public Media.
Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Leading Executive Director Search for Seismic Foundation
“Public media provides a vital service to this community, and my goal is to build on WJCT’s incredible momentum so more people can experience the value of public media in their daily lives,” said Ms. Feagins. “I have always been inspired by the passion and dedication of the people at WJCT and their commitment to serving our community. The perspective I’ve gained from the private sector will help us continue to innovate to best serve our audiences, while remaining rooted in the principles of public media. I’m overjoyed to return to WJCT, an organization that shaped my personal and professional life in countless ways.”
Community-Owned
WJCT Public Media is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Jacksonville and the First Coast since 1958. WJCT uses television, radio, digital media, and live events to bring unparalleled news, entertainment, and educational programming and services to 1.7 million citizens in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
Created through a recent merger between DRi and Waterstone Human Capital, DRiWaterstone Human Capital is a culture-centric executive search, leadership advisory, and human capital firm focused on helping mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. build high performance teams and cultures. The firm’s team of talent management professionals has placed over 1,000 exceptional executives since it opened in 2001.
The firm offers executive search services focused on helping clients achieve sustainable organizational and cultural growth by finding leaders who align to the organization’s purpose, and who can help take the organization and its culture to the next level. DRiWaterstone Human Capital also offers a full portfolio of cultural talent management and leadership advisory services (including culture assessment, culture measurement, and culture curation) – to help organizations put culture at the center of strategy and drive success.
Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits CEO for the San Diego Workforce Partnership
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
