Executive Director
New Jersey Network

Elizabeth Christopherson is serving her first term as a professional trustee on the APTS Board. Christopherson is Executive Director of New Jersey Network (NJN) Public Television and Radio and President of the NJN Foundation for Public Broadcasting, Inc.

During Christopherson’s tenure, NJN has received regional and national recognition for original programming, including close to 300 regional Emmy nominations, an Academy Award nomination, and the first national Emmy Award nomination for community service. Under Christopherson, NJN has greatly diversified and increased financial resources, garnering national awards for best practices and growth. Christopherson also has developed regional and national partnerships with NJN to accomplish complex goals.

With Christopherson’s vision and leadership, NJN launched a community-based workforce training initiative with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to give adult learners a second chance to acquire basic skills to enter the workforce, now in 50 sites. Based on this model, NJN initiated a digital classroom service, now in 136 schools statewide. This same model has provided a platform for development of emergency communications services with state and national partners. NJN has received two APTS EDGE Awards for innovative development of new digital services.

Christopherson served two terms on the PBS Board, including as Chair of the Program Policy Committee and Diversity Task Force, and as a member of the Executive, Investment, and Business Development Committees. She also served on the PBS Task Force that reviewed and made recommendations regarding the PBS policy on editorial integrity. She serves as Vice Chair of the Affinity Group Coalition (AGC).

A graduate of Wellesley College, Christopherson serves on the College’s Business Leadership Council. She contributes to the vibrancy of diverse communities, forming strategic alliances as a partner in regional and national emergency services initiatives. She is an officer of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, and a Board member of the New Jersey Technology Council, the PNC Bank Northern New Jersey Advisory Council, and the New Jersey State Council for Adult Literacy Education Services.