Roberta Oster

Journalist/
COMMUNICATIONS & LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT

Roberta Oster is an accomplished journalist, communications strategist, and leadership consultant, who brings passion, empathy, and rigor to her work. She has cultivated strategic partnerships and built strong relationships with leaders in business, government, faith communities, advocacy organizations, the media, and grassroots organizations.

Roberta is the Director of Communications and Strategy for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a statewide non-partisan, nonprofit with 20,000 members that advocates economic, racial, and social justice. She manages strategic advocacy and media relations, external communications, the website, and social media. She also writes op-eds and produces videos.

Previously, Roberta was Senior Producer of the Emmy Award-winning PBS TV news program, “VPM News Focal Point.” She played a pivotal role in launching and shaping this show that reached viewers across Central Virginia from 2022 to 2024. Roberta helped to shape the show’s editorial vision and worked closely with VPM’s marketing team and external vendors to develop a brand identity and ad campaign. She also oversaw the editorial and visual content of videos and articles for TV and digital content.

At the University of Richmond, Roberta was Associate Dean for External Relations for the School of Law and later, Interim Vice President for University Communications, where she managed a $1.8 million-dollar budget for PR, media, communications, marketing, and publications.

Before moving to Virginia in 2006, Roberta worked for two decades in New York as a network TV producer at NBC “Dateline,” ABC, and CBS News.

At VPM, the Virginia Interfaith Center, and the University of Richmond, Roberta worked closely with Board members, community leaders and donors to understand how each organization could best serve their stakeholders and communities. She is skilled at leading teams, engaging with diverse groups of people, and serving as a spokesperson at the local, state, and national levels. 

A storyteller driven by a passion for connecting with people, Roberta seeks to uncover and share meaningful narratives with editorial impact. The heart of her work as a nonprofit leader and a journalist is amplifying stories that educate, engage, and reflect the diverse communities across the U.S.

Roberta has a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She was awarded a one-year Knight Professional Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University and was a member of Leadership Metro Richmond’s Class of 2021.