Alisa Miller
Alisa Miller seeks to transform and invent media and technology that positively impacts people’s lives. Recently, she was the executive chairman of PRI-PRX, the broadcast network formed when Public Radio International (PRI) merged with Public Radio Exchange (PRX). She led this first-ever public media network merger and created an organization that reaches more than 28.5 million users each month and has more than 58 million monthly podcast downloads - within the top three podcast sources in the US.
She was named CEO of PRI in 2006, the first woman and youngest CEO to head a major public radio network. Before her time with PRI, Alisa headed new digital business development for Sesame Street.
Alisa speaks on how media and technology shapes our lives and on building purpose-driven companies and careers. Her TED Talk on media's power to shape knowledge and action has been viewed 2 million times and been translated into 48 languages. She was named by Fast Company as a Most Influential Woman in Technology, is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and in 2015 won the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
She’s a proud Cornhusker and holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degrees in business administration and public policy, both from the University of Chicago.
When Alisa isn't working or with her kids, she can be found singing or hiking on a mountain trail somewhere.
3 words to describe Nature?
Space. Time. Standstill (I find that the power of nature connects and touches me in these powerful moments — time literally standstill. Its about being awestruck by the scale, beauty and rawness of it.)
3 things Nature taught you?
We are temporary
We are small
Make it matter
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Bridal Veil Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park. My family has had a 3, now 4 generation affair with the Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park. Bridal Veil Falls is a hike I first walked as a child and each time I go back, it is not only beautiful but reminds me of family roots and connectedness.
Crescent Meadow, Sequoia National Park. This place literally shimmers and those trees, those ancient trees, are magical.
Sneffles Range, Colorado. The air, the sun, the exertion to get there and to the top. Worth it.
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Calm, humble
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Life, hushed
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Awestruck and a touch of fear
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Reflective, grateful to breathe
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Like a little kid
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Alone
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Mountain
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
10+
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
Floating.
Summer rays.
In a prairie freshwater lake.
Watching the bubbles come out of my nose. Diving and feeling the water cool ....
as it becomes darker and deeper.
Down further.
Holding my breath.
Watching fish watch me.
Currents pulsing through my fingers. Freedom
