Donna Kavanagh Elected First Woman Vice President of Hoosier Enquirer

February 12, 2026 – In a historic and unanimous decision, the Hoosier Enquirer board today elected veteran broadcaster, actress, and community advocate Donna Kavanagh as the organization’s new Vice President. The 3-0 vote makes Kavanagh the first woman to hold this leadership position in Hoosier Enquirer’s history.The board met earlier today to formalize the appointment, citing Kavanagh’s exceptional career in entertainment, public media, and regional storytelling as perfectly aligned with the organization’s mission to amplify authentic Hoosier voices through digital streaming and community-focused content.Kavanagh officially joined Hoosier Enquirer on January 16, 2026, following a distinguished tenure at WNIT Public Television. Her arrival was widely celebrated as a return to her Indiana roots.

A Michigan City native, Kavanagh’s journey began on local stages as a member of the 1970 Canterbury Summer Theatre Resident Company. Those early performances launched a multifaceted career that took her to Hollywood, where she appeared in memorable roles on the classic television series Fantasy Island and The Love Boat, as well as in the films Airport ’75 and Clint Eastwood’s Every Which Way But Loose.In recent years, she became a beloved figure in Indiana and Michiana media, hosting the engaging community program What Gives? on WNIT Public Television and the popular radio show Kavanagh Live on Radio Harbor Country.

Her transition to Hoosier Enquirer streaming services marks an exciting new chapter, bringing her on-camera presence, production experience, and lifelong connection to the region to a platform dedicated to telling Indiana stories. In a statement released today, Hoosier Enquirer CEO Bob Kern praised the board’s decision and outlined an ambitious vision for the organization under his and Kavanagh’s joint leadership: “Today marks a proud and exciting milestone for Hoosier Enquirer: our Board of Directors has unanimously elected Donna Kavanagh as Vice President—the first woman to serve in this role in our organization’s history. The 3-0 vote is a powerful endorsement of Donna’s extraordinary talent, her lifelong dedication to storytelling, and her deep love for the communities we represent.

From her beginnings on the Michigan City stage with the Canterbury Summer Theatre in 1970, through her memorable appearances on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Airport ’75, and Every Which Way But Loose, to her recent work hosting What Gives? on WNIT and Kavanagh Live on Radio Harbor Country, Donna has built a career defined by authenticity, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to connecting people through stories.When she joined us on January 16th, it already felt like she was coming home. Today’s vote makes that homecoming official—she is now helping lead the way forward.I could not be more enthusiastic about what lies ahead under our shared leadership.Together, Donna and I are committed to ushering in a bold new era for Hoosier Enquirer. We will be introducing many meaningful changes in the months and years to come, all designed to strengthen our mission of celebrating Indiana voices, expanding our reach, and building an even more vibrant platform for creators and audiences alike.Among the exciting developments already in motion:

• A major expansion of original streaming content that puts Hoosier stories—past, present, and future—front and center

• New opportunities for local filmmakers, writers, journalists, and artists to partner with us and bring their work to wider audiences

• Enhanced community engagement features that make it easier for viewers across the state to contribute ideas, share stories, and feel truly part of the platform

• Strategic investments in production quality, accessibility, and innovative formats to keep Hoosier Enquirer at the forefront of regional digital storytelling

• Deeper collaborations with Indiana’s cultural institutions, educational partners, and grassroots organizations to amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives

  
  

These are just the beginning. Donna’s creativity, regional roots, and proven ability to connect with audiences, combined with our shared vision, will drive Hoosier Enquirer to new heights while staying true to the heart of who we are: a home for authentic Indiana stories told by and for Hoosiers.

I want to thank the Board for their trust and unanimous support of this decision. I also want to thank every member of our team whose hard work has brought us to this moment. Most of all, I want to congratulate Donna Kavanagh on this well-deserved honor.Donna, thank you for stepping into this leadership role with us. I’m honored to work side by side with you, and I can’t wait to see all the ways we will shape the future of Hoosier Enquirer together.

The best is yet to come. ”Congratulations to Donna Kavanagh on this landmark appointment. Hoosier Enquirer looks forward to the transformative impact she and CEO Bob Kern will have as they lead the organization into its next chapter.