After more than 30 years of successful leadership in the non-profit sector, Dave Edwards is now using the knowledge he gained in helping managers become more effective leaders.
He is a consultant to nonprofit managers and organizations around the country, providing executive coaching services as well as serving as a speaker and workshop leader. Dave also teaches classes in journalism and ethics for Milwaukee’s Marquette University and classes in strategic planning and professional communications for Alverno College in Milwaukee.
Edwards has served as Executive Director and General Manager for WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio, Chairman of the NPR Board of Directors and has held board positions on the Station Resource Group, Public Radio In Mid-America and the University Station Alliance. He has also served as Chairman of the Radio Research Consortium Board of Directors and a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Board of Directors.
He is the winner of the U:SA Madison Hodges Innovator Award for Public Media Advancement.
During his years as General Manager, WUWM was the most listened to public radio station in Southeastern Wisconsin. In 2010, the station was recognized as “Best Radio Station of the Year” by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and “Best Radio News Operation of the Year” by the Milwaukee Press Club. Under his leadership, the station significantly increased community support for the station through various targeted initiatives to support local journalism.
Before becoming General Manager of WUWM, Edwards’ professional career included stints as a radio program manager, news director, news reporter, and anchor for public radio, commercial radio, and television stations. He won numerous local and regional awards for journalism and was a regular contributor to National Public Radio news magazines in the early 1980s.
Edwards has also been involved in civic activities including the Milwaukee Rotary Club and he served for 15 years as an elected member of the Franklin WI Board of School Directors including seven years as its president.
He and his wife Lauri live in Franklin WI. They have two grown children who grew up believing that the first button on all car radios was fixed on a public radio station. He loves spoiling his four grandchildren.
Dave Edwards Media 