Brendan Kinney, Chief Executive Officer
Brendan Kinney is Chief Executive Officer of the Vermont Journalism Trust and VTDigger. A lifelong Vermonter, Kinney grew up in Randolph and has spent his career in service to Vermont’s media and civic life.
Kinney joined VTDigger in June 2026 after sixteen years at Vermont Public — the state’s public television and radio broadcaster — where he served in a range of senior leadership roles including Vice President of Development, Senior Vice President of Development, Interim CEO, and most recently Chief Operating Officer. Earlier in his career, he worked in institutional advancement at Saint Michael’s College and SUNY Plattsburgh.
Kinney is a 2023 Poynter Institute Media Transformation Challenge Fellow and serves on the board of Greater Public, an organization supporting best practices in public media fundraising and audience development. He is also a board member for Camp Ta Kum-Ta, which supports children who have or have had cancer and their families. He spent fifteen years on local school boards in Essex, including leading the effort to merge five school districts from across the community.
Outside of work, Kinney is an avid runner who enjoys exploring Vermont’s many trails and footpaths, often with his dog Frankie. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Saint Michael’s College and lives in Essex with his family.
Email Brendan: bkinney@vtdigger.org
