The attributes of a good leader have evolved in the last five years, in part due to the pandemic, says Nine PBS president and CEO Amy Shaw.
“Attributes that served us five years ago may not serve us well now,” Shaw said. “In the pandemic, it became clear to me that the way we would sustain our business and support our staff was to be human. Attributes like empathy, vulnerability, transparency, kindness, and humility are more important than ever and are a competitive advantage.”
Nine PBS’s stated purpose is “to magnify and deepen understanding of its community, anchored by core values of trust, equity, learning and community.”
Shaw was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal in 2021 as one of the 25 Most Influential Business Women. In 2022, she was inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame. In 2021, she was also elected by her peers to serve on the National PBS Board of Directors and as chair of the FOCUS St. Louis Board of Directors. In 2022, Shaw was elected vice-chair of the Public Television Major Market Group board, comprising the 40 largest PBS stations in the country.
“Amy led the creation of Nine PBS’s 2022-24 strategic plan and has led the station to financial health with strong reserves, no debt, and an aligned, three-year financial plan to guide the organization,” Shaw’s team said.
Under Shaw’s leadership, Nine PBS ranked No. 1 in primetime per capita among public television stations nationwide. In 2021 and 2022, it was the most watched PBS station in the country per capita across all day parts.
“Technology has enabled Nine PBS to connect the people on-air, online, via every possible device, and in the community. This was never more evident than in the early days of the pandemic,” Shaw’s team said. “Amy connected with education leaders and asked the simple question — how can Nine PBS help children learn during such an unprecedented time? The team at Nine, under Amy’s leadership, sprang into action, helping hundreds of thousands of families learn from home.
“This leadership has been at the heart of Amy’s nearly 20 years at Nine PBS, ensuring that people are connected and helped at scale. This is why Amy has ascended the ranks at Nine PBS, starting as director of education in 2003 and ultimately becoming the first female CEO in the organization’s 68-year history.”
Nine PBS has been recognized by the Greater St. Louis Women’s Foundation in 2020 and 2021 as one of St. Louis’ Best Places to Work for Women. Shaw is a member of the St. Louis Forum, an organization that brings together female executives and professionals in the Greater St. Louis area.
