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Michael Kempner is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MikeWorldWide, an integrated public relations firm that operates across the US and UK. He is a nationally recognized authority on reputation management, crisis management, public affairs, business to business and consumer marketing, and corporate social responsibility, and has counseled some of the world’s most prominent executives, organizations, and companies. Michael has been honored with several of the industry’s highest accolades, including PRWeek’s PR Professional of the Year in 2015 and 2010, and his induction to the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020. An active member of his community, Michael was appointed by President Obama to the White House Council for Community Solutions, a council that works to “reengage disenfranchised youth.” He was also appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a Governor of the Broadcast Board of Governors/US Agency for Global Media, and serves on the board of Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Kempner also serves on the boards of ConnectOne Bank, New York Coalition for the Homeless, PR Council, and American University’s Board of Trustees. 

Kempner was born in Chicago and graduated from American University of Public Affairs with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981. 

Kempner was appointed to serve as a Member of the RFE/RL Board of Directors on January 24, 2021.

Meet our board

Board of Directors

RFE/RL, Inc. is a private nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware. Our Board of Directors makes all major policy determinations governing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) operations. Each member of the RFE/RL Board of Directors is required by federal law to have “requisite expertise in journalism, technology, broadcasting, diplomacy, or appropriate language or cultural understanding” relevant to RFE/RL’s mission. Government employees are prohibited by law from serving on the RFE/RL Board. 

An image of Lisa Curtis

Lisa Curtis

Board Chair
Stephen Capus Headshot

Stephen Capus

President and CEO
An image of Scott Carpenter

Scott Carpenter

Board Member
An image of Usha Chaudbary

Usha Chaudhary

Board Member
An image of Jackson Diehl

Jackson Diehl

Board Member
An image of Margaret Hoover

Margaret Hoover

Board Member
An image of Kristin Lord

Kristin Lord

Board Member
An image of Vance Serchuk

Vance Serchuk

Board Member

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