Centennial, Colo., July 14, 2025 - During its annual meeting, Colorado Public Radio’s board of directors approved the budget and work plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The board also welcomed three new members, Carrie Okizaki, Arnold Salazar, and Sruta Vootukuru, who officially started their terms following the meeting.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Carrie Okizaki, Arnold Salazar, and Sruta Vootukuro to the CPR board,” said Board Chair Lori Bergen, founding dean of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder. “With expertise that ranges from construction project oversight to technology to health care, combined with their diverse perspectives and shared passion for our mission, these new members will bring new energy and insights to the CPR board as we embark on this next chapter together.”
Carrie Okizaki, co-founder and President of Modus Strategic Solutions, helps deliver major energy initiatives. She is also an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and has edited/written for the American Bar Association. A second-generation Colorado native, her family's incarceration at Amache internment camp during WWII fuels her dedication to public service and social equity. She previously served on the Work Options Board (2015-2019), an organization aiding individuals facing poverty, incarceration, or homelessness.
Arnold Salazar, whose family has lived in the San Luis Valley since 1851, had an extensive career in community mental health. He directed the San Luis Valley Community Mental Health center for 10 years, then organized SyCare LLC, a managed care company for mental health services in 19 Southern Colorado counties. In 2005, he became CEO of Colorado Health Partnerships. In 2018, Salazar started Strategic Executive Advantage, a consulting company for mental health providers. He retired in 2022 to run his family business, The Barn at La Manzanilla.
Sruta Vootukuru is a results-oriented executive with a depth of leadership experience driving growth, strategic partnerships and operational excellence for such organizations as SiriusXM, Sling TV and Dish Network. She is currently the Chief Digital, Content and Carrier Officer for Liberty Latin America. She is an innovator and problem solver throughout digital, telecommunications, fintech, media and entertainment industries in the US and globally. Sruta was recognized with an Emmy in Technology in 2018. She is passionate about building scalable, future-proof solutions through emerging technologies.
Ned Harding, Michelle Sobel and Brandy Schultz have completed their terms on the board. Amy Blair and Dr. Carlos Hipolito-Delgado were elected to a second board term. For Fiscal Year 2026, Lori Bergen is the chair, with Rishi Hingoraney as vice-chair, Ricardo Baca as treasurer and Deidre Johnson as secretary. To learn more about CPR’s board of directors, click here.
Media inquiries: [email protected]
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About Colorado Public Radio
Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization delivering meaningful news, music, and cultural experiences to everyone in Colorado using the power of the human voice in all its forms. Roughly 95 percent of CPR’s funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations. For more information, visit www.cpr.org.
- CPR News delivers in-depth, insightful and impartial news and information from around the world, across the nation and throughout Colorado, examining its relevance to our state and connecting it to our community.
- CPR Classical takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of thoughtfully curated music – with an emphasis on Colorado’s classical community – providing context to a broad range of meaningful and compelling works from past to present.
- Indie 102.3 takes listeners inside the world of new and independent music – exposing them to up-and-coming artists and highlighting Colorado’s local music scene.
- Denverite is an online news source dedicated to Denver's curious and concerned.
- KRCC is a public radio station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serving Southern Colorado. KRCC is operated by Colorado Public Radio in partnership with Colorado College.
