Kansas City PBS Community Impact Report - Report - Page 5
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
A New Chapter
of Leadership
Every successful chapter in an organization’s history is shaped by leaders who
understand both the responsibility of stewardship and the promise of what’s possible.
This year, Kansas City PBS marked a signi昀椀cant milestone as Kliff Kuehl stepped down
as president and CEO after more than 17 years of dedicated service.
Under Kuehl’s leadership, membership nearly doubled, digital and broadcast services
expanded, and the station completed a transformational $22 million capital campaign
that strengthened its facilities, technology and investment in local storytelling.
In June 2026, Cara Williams Fry was named president and CEO of Kansas City PBS,
ushering in an exciting new chapter for the organization and its commitment to
serving the Kansas City community.
A nationally respected media executive with more than 20 years of leadership
experience in public media and commercial television, Fry is a passionate advocate
for the essential role public media plays in informing, inspiring and strengthening
communities. She is known for building collaborative teams, cultivating meaningful
partnerships and creating content that brings people together.
Before joining Kansas City PBS, Fry served as general manager of Northwest Public
Broadcasting, a Washington State University licensee serving communities across
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia. Previously, she was senior vice
president and chief content of昀椀cer at WITF Public Media in Pennsylvania, where she
led award-winning journalism, education and community-centered storytelling.
Public media has been a de昀椀ning force in Fry’s career. She has championed journalism
and storytelling that re昀氀ect the people and places it serves, elevated diverse voices,
and strengthened communities through the power of information, connection and
shared understanding.
“Public media is more important than ever.
At its best, it informs, inspires and brings
people together — and strengthens the
communities we all call home.”
One of the most meaningful chapters of Fry’s career was her many years with
Children’s Miracle Network in Pennsylvania, where she wrote and produced stories
about children overcoming extraordinary challenges and produced an annual live
television event that raised millions of dollars for Penn State Hershey Children’s
Hospital. The experience reinforced her belief in the power of storytelling to move
people to action and make a difference.
Cara Williams Fry brings a wealth of media experience and a proven record of
leadership in journalism, content strategy, education and audience engagement.
As Kansas City PBS celebrates the legacy of one leader and welcomes another, she
is committed to building on that foundation while helping the organization evolve
alongside the community it serves.
Images | Cara Williams Fry and former colleagues with National Edward R. Murrow
Awards, Cara with her dogs, Jaeger and Zen, behind the scenes at a Children’s Miracle
Network live television event, Cara with her husband, Teoscineous Fry
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