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Sonali Mehta named executive director of NPR Music
Indian-origin executive to lead strategy for NPR Music, including Tiny Desk franchise and station collaborations.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 18, Sep 2025
- 03:23 EDT
- 9
Sonali Mehta / NPR
Sonali Mehta has been named Executive Director of NPR Music, the Washington-based media organization announced Sept. 16. She will begin her role on Sept. 22 and will be based in New York.
Mehta, who has worked across artist partnerships, content strategy, and business development, will oversee NPR Music’s overall direction. Her responsibilities will include working with NPR’s network of music stations, guiding the growth of the Tiny Desk franchise, and identifying ways to strengthen NPR’s position in the music industry.
“I’m thrilled to join the incomparable NPR Music team,” Mehta said in a statement. She described NPR’s music properties as “a masterclass in moving culture and breaking artists".
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Mehta added that as a longtime fan of platforms such as Tiny Desk, she looks forward to supporting programs that “have catapulted the careers of so many deserving artists.” She said she is eager to learn from NPR’s “dedicated, innovative, and passionate team.”
Her career began at YouTube, where she worked with more than 800 artists to support releases and expand their audiences. During her time there, she developed channel strategies, managed multi-million-dollar partnerships, and launched internal programs to strengthen artist content.
She later joined Arista Records, executing over 50 global digital marketing campaigns aimed at artist discovery and music consumption. Most recently, Mehta served as Chief of Staff at ADA, a division of Warner Music Group.
NPR said Mehta brings a strong commitment to artist advocacy and an appreciation for NPR’s cultural role. The organization noted her experience aligns with its mission of connecting audiences with diverse music and supporting emerging talent.
NPR, headquartered in Washington, D.C., serves millions of listeners daily through its radio programs, digital platforms, and international bureaus. Its NPR Music division is widely recognized for programs including Tiny Desk Concerts, which highlight both emerging and established artists.
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