Southern California Public Radio Names New Board Chair, Vice-Chair

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) on Tuesday announced that a new chair and vice-chair have been named to the organization’s board of trustees.

J. Andrew Murphy and Catherine M. Ward, respectively, have been named to the two positions, according to a statement.

“We are happy to have Drew and Catherine at the helm of the Board of SCPR. Drew’s business and strategic planning skills he brings from his work at Edison to his previous roles leading the Strategy and Finance committees at SCPR will serve us well as Chair as we navigate the brave new world we are living in,” said Herb Scannell, president and CEO of Southern California Public Radio.

“Catherine, heading development and with her roots in the Capital Group, will give us guidance and know-how on the fundraising function so important to any not-for-profit. Moreover, they are guided by and will lead us on our mission to be a centering institution in Southern California and serve the community at a time when journalism has never mattered more.”

Murphy joined the SCPR board in 2017 and serves as chair of its Evaluation and Compensation Committee and Executive Committee. He previously served as vice-chair of the board, chair of the Finance Committee, co-chair of the Governance and Trustee Committee, and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Ward, a member of the board since 2015, is also the co-chair of its Development and Campaign Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.

Murphy is senior vice president of strategy and corporate development for Edison International and also oversees the competitive businesses of Edison International, including Edison Energy. Prior to joining Edison International, Murphy was senior managing director of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, where he headed its utilities, energy and power team. Previously, he served in a number of senior executive positions at NRG Energy, Inc. and has also served as a partner at the law firm Hunton & Williams LLP, where he led the global energy, infrastructure, and project finance practice.

Ward recently served as senior vice president at Capital Research and Management Co., where she worked for over four decades, serving as a director for over 20 of those years. During her time at the company, she also served as a director of the Capital Group, Inc., and American Funds Service Company.

Ward graduated cum laude from USC with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, with a minor in history. She is passionate about oceans and environmental issues, including coral reef preservation, and is currently board chair of the Biosphere Foundation.