Meagan McGinnes-Bessey

Meagan is the managing editor of digital audience & community engagement at WBUR, Boston's largest NPR newsroom. She oversees the newsletter and social media teams. Her mouthful of a title really means thinking about the ways and places WBUR can bring its local journalism to more communities — and then how to better connect while there. That could be through newsletters, on our website, on Instagram, YouTube, in person at WBUR CitySpace or even listening sessions at local libraries. All the places you're already talking to the people in your life and where you're looking for news to stay informed. She's also the chair of WBUR's internal community engagement task force, established in 2024.

Meagan's ultimate goal is for WBUR to earn the trust of readers and listeners — especially those from underserved communities that have been historically hurt or ignored by media — and to become a daily source of knowledge and joy. Meagan began working at WBUR in 2018 as the newsletter editor.

In 2024, Meagan was named one of Current Magazine's "Rising Stars" in public media. She also was part of Poynter's 2023 Leadership Academy for Women in Media.