‘He is the right person’: Mitchell to stay on as CKUA CEO

CKUA CEO Adam Mitchell is seen in this undated hand-out photo. (Source: CKUA)

CKUA’s acting CEO Adam Mitchell will keep the title permanently, the broadcaster announced on Monday.

“Adam has demonstrated that he is fully capable of doing this work,” said CKUA Radio Foundation board chair Kathy Milani in a press release.

“As a board we have no doubt he is the right person to lead CKUA in its next chapter. He has proven he has leadership and skill sets, and he’s also great with people. The board of directors is looking forward to what’s next with great optimism.”

Mitchell joined CKUA in 2023 and has served as acting CEO since 2025.

The board said he has helped guide the organization since the departure of previous CEO Marc Carnes, and continued his work of stabilizing the broadcaster’s financial position.

The former executive director of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, Mitchell said his work at CKUA has been “one of the most exciting and personally meaningful moments” of his career.

“To come to an organization that aligns so closely with my own love of music, arts, and culture - and to bring the experiences from my career in those fields into a place like CKUA, is incredibly special. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to be here.”

CKUA was founded in 1927, making it Canada’s first public and educational broadcaster.

It nearly left the airwaves in 2024, but raised $3.5 million and also received $11 million from the federal government.

Mitchell said going forward, the organization would be balancing momentum with reflection.

“Like any organization that has lasted nearly a century, CKUA has faced adversity along the way. Each time CKUA has done what creative communities do best, it has adapted, innovated, and found new ways to thrive. The past few years have brought their own challenges, but they have also revealed the strength of this community.”