Barbara Hamm Lee
Creative Services Officer
Barbara Hamm Lee has served as WHRO’s Creative Services Officer since July, 2011. She is responsible for marketing, promotion, and media relations for WHRO/WHRV Public Media. She is the executive producer and host of Another View, a program that examines issues of particular interest to the African- American community in Hampton Roads, and airs on 89.5 WHRV-FM.
Barbara joined WHRO as Chief Communications Officer in March, 2006. In that capacity, she was responsible for all aspects of station communications, and had charge of television programming and community outreach as well.
Prior to joining WHRO, Barbara served as Director of Corporate Communications for Communications Technologies, Inc., Chantilly, Virginia. She has also directed the Office of Communications of the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police Department, and was owner of Hamm & Fox Communications, Inc., a media relations firm based in Norfolk specializing in crisis media management, media training, marketing and community outreach. Throughout her career, she has been a media consultant to commercial institutions, military and non-profit organizations in and around Hampton Roads. She is a former Director of Station Relations and News Director for WTKR TV, the CBS affiliate in the Hampton Roads area. Barbara began her media career with the NBC affiliate WBAL-TV in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. She also served in management positions for television stations in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA.
Barbara is very active in the community, currently serving as a board member for the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk Education Foundation, the Planning Council, and is currently President of the Board of the YWCA of South Hampton Roads. She was appointed by Norfolk City Council as a Commissioner for the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in October, 2010 and currently serves as Vice Chair. She was appointed by Governor Kaine to the Virginia Fire Services Board (2007-2009); and was formerly a board member for Youth Entertainment Studios, Samaritan House, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, and the Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation. Barbara was named a “Woman of Distinction” by the YWCA in 2010.
Barbara proudly received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Bennett College in 1978 (summa cum laude). She is a member of Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, is married to Maxie A. Lee, and has two daughters and a granddaughter. She enjoys reading, public speaking, and spending time with family and friends.
