October 2, 2020 — CBC News has announced the appointment of two new Senior Managing Directors: Mervin Brass for CBC North and Ruth Zowdu for CBC’s Ontario Region, effective October 19.
With a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, Indigenous reflection and deepening CBC’s community connections, Mervin Brass has been the managing editor for CBC North for four years. In his new role he will continue to be based in Yellowknife, overseeing all local programming for stations in Yukon, N.W.T. and Nunavut. Beyond his role as managing editor, Brass brings a wealth of experience to his new position ranging from developing and running the Treaty 4 News in Saskatoon, to working as a senior reporter and host in private radio, and working as a reporter for CBC in Regina.
“This move to create a senior managing director position for the North speaks directly to CBC’s collective commitment to the region and its diverse and unique perspectives, languages and culture,” said Susan Marjetti, General Manager, CBC News, Current Affairs and Local. “Our goal is to ensure that CBC shares even more of the stories and perspectives of the North with the rest of Canada and the world."
Currently the managing editor of CBC Ottawa, Ruth Zowdu started her career at CBC Ottawa as a researcher. She grew from position to position, serving as executive producer of Radio/Current Affairs before becoming the first woman of colour to run a local newsroom as CBC Ottawa’s managing editor. Zowdu’s successes include #CBCStreetTalk, a way of surfacing election issues at all levels through the voices and experiences of voters, and, in partnership with the Ontario Public Library, the Ontario Human Library project.
“Ruth’s successes are guided by an audience-first philosophy, and her dedication to strengthening an authentic and ongoing connection to the people CBC serves,” said Marjetti. “I have no doubt that the Ontario region will continue to flourish under Ruth’s thoughtful and dedicated leadership.”
In her new role, Zowdu will continue to be based in Ottawa, overseeing all local programming for stations in Ontario: Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Windsor.
Follow Mervin Brass and Ruth Zowdu on Twitter.
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Frances Bedford
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