Debbie Hiott, General Manager, KUT Public Media and Exec. Dir. Of Media Operations, Moody College
About the Program:
As General Manager of KUT Public Media, Debbie Hiott leads one of Central Texas’ most trusted independent, nonprofit media organizations – serving the region through KUT News, KUTX 98.9, Austin Signal, Texas Standard and KUT & KUTX Studios.
Hiott will share how public media plays a vital civic role by delivering independent local journalism, transformative music and community-centered storytelling that informs residents, amplifies diverse
voices and brings people together across Central Texas.
She will also share how KUT Public Media has responded thoughtfully and creatively to the loss of federal funding — using that challenge to reaffirm its commitment to public service over profit, deepen
community connection and ensure that local media remains strong, trusted and accessible for all.
About Debbie
Debbie Hiott is general manager of KUT News, Austin’s NPR affiliate, and music station KUTX. She also serves as executive director of media operations for the Moody College of Communication at the
University of Texas.
Before that, Hiott spent 28 years at the Austin American-Statesman, where she started as an intern while at Southwest Texas State University and spent her last seven years as executive editor. She served twice as a Pulitzer jury member, is currently on the board of NPR, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Station Resource Group and served for seven years on the board of the Texas
Associated Press Managing Editors. She lives in Northwest Austin with her husband and two children.
Agenda:
6:45am - Coffee & Networking
7:10am - Breakfast Buffet
7:25am - Introductions & Announcements
7:50am - Speaker Introduction
8:20am - Q&A
8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!
