Mary Bitterman

Mary G. F. Bitterman is a prominent American historian, media executive, and philanthropist with an extensive career in public broadcasting and foundation leadership. She served as President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation from 2002 to 2003.12

Career Highlights

Public Broadcasting:: Bitterman has had a distinguished career in public broadcasting. She was the youngest person and first woman to head a PBS television station when she became director of Hawaii Public Broadcasting Authority in 1974 at age 30.1 Later, she served as President and CEO of KQED, a major public broadcasting station in the San Francisco Bay Area, from 1993 to 2002.14

Voice of America:: From 1980 to 1981, Bitterman was the Director of Voice of America, becoming both the youngest person and first woman to hold this position.1 During her tenure, she made significant contributions, including arranging the first exchange of broadcasters between VOA and China and beginning Dari broadcasting after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.1

Philanthropic Leadership:: After her time at The James Irvine Foundation, Bitterman became President of The Bernard Osher Foundation in 2004, a position she still holds today.13 In this role, she leads the foundation's support for higher education, the arts, and integrative medicine programs.1

Education and Achievements

Bitterman holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University and M.A. and Ph.D. in Modern European History from Bryn Mawr College.1 She has received numerous honors, including:

• The Ralph Lowell Award for outstanding contributions to public television (2006)
• Honorary member of the National Presswomen's Federation
• Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration
• Honorary doctorates from multiple universities1

Throughout her career, Bitterman has been a prolific writer on topics such as mass communication, social change, and the impact of television in the Asia-Pacific region.1

Mary G. F. Bitterman's LinkedIn username is mary-bitterman-43b124a, as mentioned in the query.4