Adam Mitchell has been CKUA’s Chief Operating Officer since February 2023. These days, he is also Acting CEO. He is familiar to many in the CKUA community, but since his role is changing, we thought it would be a good time to check in with him!
CKUA is going through a season of change, and you are now the COO and Acting CEO. What are your first priorities as your role evolves?
Any time an organization sees a change in leadership like this, there’s an adjustment. In the Acting CEO realm, my job is to make sure that the plans that we have been working on over the past few years will continue. Our board and [outgoing CEO] Marc Carnes have been on a path to diversify revenue through a major gifts program. We are just starting to see those efforts come to fruition. In terms of content and programming, we want to make sure that what we put on the air is the best it can be, true to who we are. It’s a big time of change for the team. We will have some new faces on the staff team, so we want to make sure we welcome those people. We are always trying to build a strong, healthy culture, where CKUA is the best place to work, the most exciting place to be.
What do you see as CKUA’s biggest challenges in the months ahead?
We want to help our people navigate change. And the financial piece is still important. We have had some wins in the last while, but we have also navigated some difficult circumstances. Managing our finances well is our focus. We’re seeing growth in community outreach, in fund development, and in offering more programs on the air. That’s all delivered by an ambitious and dedicated crew. We need to make sure we are inspiring people and not burning them out.
The Fund Development Team has set ambitious goals for the upcoming months and years. How are the leadership team and the board working together to support those goals?
CKUA is experiencing growth. Because of our current fiscal environment and the costs of transforming the way CKUA does business, we have grown. The only way we can grow is by increasing revenue, and our primary revenue source will always be fundraising and donors. We rely on that community support and we’re so grateful for it. The work that Chief Development Officer Kevin Fitzgerald and his team are doing is essential. Major gifts will be a strong area of focus going forward. The board and our fundraising committees are key to this important work, too. We have to be realistic about the things we want to do, but we also want to dream big. We have already seen wins. I’m confident we are on the right path.
What are you most grateful for at CKUA?
I have been a listener since 1999, and I have known many longtime fans, but until I started working in this community, I didn’t know how unique it is. People are passionate about CKUA. It’s a privilege to see the impact CKUA has on people’s lives and families. There’s nothing like it, possibly in the whole world. People love the arts, and people love music, but the way people connect with CKUA is different. It’s a special community. I’m grateful for the people who share their stories. I’m grateful for the team I get to work with.
What was the highlight of CKUA summer for you?
Going to festivals across the province was a great way to see that CKUA’s connections are real. We had so many terrific conversations with musicians. And some of these artists told us that the CKUA interview was the highlight of their day, of their festival experience. That says something about the way we show up. We are part of a bigger community. We are not just a radio station. We are integral to music, arts and culture in Alberta. And that is a fun thing to witness first-hand. The live broadcasts that we have done from festival stages are special. And a station that takes the time to share that experience with listeners is unique.