Hendrik Lünenborg has been Intendant (Director) of NDR since September 1, 2025. He has worked at NDR since 1994 and previously served as programme director of NDR 90,3 and director of the NDR state broadcasting centre in Hamburg. Lünenborg is committed to diversity of perspectives, open debate culture, and a stronger digital orientation for NDR. He lives in Hamburg and brings many years of experience in public broadcasting to his leadership.

Lütke has held the position of Deputy Director General since 2020. She has been Director of the Lower Saxony Broadcasting Centre since 2019. She is a member of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Fernsehlotterie (German TV Lottery) and Nordmedia Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen. She has worked previously as correspondent and moderator for SAT.1 and VOX. 

Ilka Steinhausen has been Programme Director of Norddeutscher Rundfunk since January 1, 2025, and heads Business Division I. She is responsible for NDR Info, NDR Kultur, NDR 2, N-JOY, as well as the NDR ensembles. She studied biology and sports with a focus on journalism and has held various editorial and management positions over many years, including work as reporter, presenter, correspondent, and deputy programme director. Since 2020, she served as editor-in-chief and deputy director of the NDR state broadcasting centre in Hamburg and brings extensive experience in cross-media and digital programming.

Anja Günther has been cross-media editor-in-chief and deputy director at NDR Landesfunkhaus Hamburg since 1 February 2025. She comes from Kassel and studied English, politics and journalism in Göttingen. Her journalistic career began in 1996 at NDR Landesfunkhaus Hannover. Through positions in Hamburg and at the ARD capital studio, she has gained relevant experience, particularly in news and current affairs reporting. She is considered an expert in cross-media change processes in large editorial offices.

Volker Thormählen is director of the NDR state broadcasting centre Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel. He has headed the centre since November 2012 and is responsible for regional radio and television programmes, including "NDR 1 Welle Nord" and the "Schleswig-Holstein Magazin." Thormählen began his journalism career at NDR in the early 1980s, including work as presenter, editor, and in senior radio positions, before moving into management. In his current role, he is committed to modern structures, cross-media collaboration, and strong regional reporting.

The Administrative Board consists of 12 members:

Rüdiger Hülskamp has served as Chair of the Administrative Council of Northern German Broadcasting (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, NDR) since September 23, 2024. He leads this supervisory body and significantly shapes strategic decisions of the NDR, including those regarding digital development, regional anchoring, and economic efficiency. Under his leadership, the proposal for filling the position of Intendant (Director-General) was submitted, with Hendrik Lünenborg as the candidate. Hülskamp advocates for close coordination between the Administrative Council and Broadcasting Council, as well as for critical yet constructive oversight of public broadcasting.

Uta-Maria Kuder serves as Deputy Chair of the Administrative Council of Northern German Broadcasting (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, NDR). She served as Minister of Justice in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern from 2006 to 2016 and has held various positions in local and political administration before and after that period. Kuder is a member of the CDU and brings legal expertise as well as political knowledge from state administration and legislative processes to her role at the NDR. As Deputy Chair, she participates in strategic decisions and, together with the Administrative Council, oversees the management of the broadcaster, particularly in matters of organization, finances, and strategic direction.

Ahting is a member of the NDR Administrative Board. He was previously also the chairman of the NDR Administrative Board. Until 2023, he will be the regional director of the ver.di union in Lower Saxony and Bremen. Ahting is a member of the SPD and chairman of the Lower Saxony Medical Service.

Schneider is a member of the Administrative Board. She was also previously Deputy Chair of the NDR Administrative Board. She is a full-time lawyer and has been a member of the board since 2018.

Alff has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. He is a full-time solicitor and also chairman of the Schwerin district association of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Brunotte has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. He is Chairman of the Executive Board of the AWO District Association in Hanover. In this capacity, he is also a member of the Supervisory Boards of AWO Soziale Arbeit GmbH and AWO Niedersachsen gGmbH. From 2008 to 2017, he was a member of the Lower Saxony State Parliament (SPD).    

Damerau has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. From 2014 to 2022, she was previously a member of the Broadcasting Council. Damerau is a member of the SPD and was part of the SPD Hamburg's state executive committee from 2002 to 2021, also serving as its deputy chair from 2008 onwards. Since 2022, she has been a member of the supervisory board of the Diakonisches Werk Hamburg as deputy chairwoman.

Heister-Neumann has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2018. She is a member of the CDU and was a member of the CDU Federal Executive Committee from 2014 to 2022. She was also Minister of Justice for Lower Saxony from 2005 to 2008, Minister of Culture for Lower Saxony from 2008 to 2010 and, at the same time, a member of the Lower Saxony state parliament from 2009 to 2013.

Helmhold has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. Prior to that, she was a member of the NDR Broadcasting Council (2013–2022). From 2003 to 2013, Helmhold was a member of the Lower Saxony state parliament for the Bündnis90/Die Grünen party.

Hüppe has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. He is Deputy Chief Executive of the Lower Saxony Business Association (Unternehmensverbände Niedersachsen e.V. (UVN)) and Managing Director of the North German Business Institute (InoN). In August 2024, he will take over as Chief Executive of the UVN.

Saitner has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. He has been full-time chairman of PARITÄTISCH Schleswig-Holstein since 2018 and a member of the board of the PARITÄT Foundation since 2020.

Sander has been a member of the Administrative Board since 2023. She is a lecturer at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences. From 2012 to 2022, she was already a member of the NDR Broadcasting Council.

The NDR Broadcasting Council consists of 58 members from the four federal states of northern Germany that make up the NDR. Listed here are the chairpersons of the and their deputies from each respective federal state. 

Dr Nico Fickinger is Chairman of the NDR Broadcasting Council, where he represents the economic and association interests of Schleswig-Holstein. He was appointed by the Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein business associations and brings extensive experience from his many years as Chief Executive of the Nordmetall employers' association. In his role, he leads the work of the Broadcasting Council, moderates key decisions on matters such as management, programming and economic planning, and advocates a balanced combination of programming diversity and economic responsibility.

Cornelia Hölkemeier is the first deputy chair of the NDR Broadcasting Council and is delegated by the trade associations in Lower Saxony. She is the professional head of the State Association for the Construction Industry and thus brings experience in business, association work and law to the table. On the Broadcasting Council, she represents economic and social interests and is particularly active in the Committee for Finance, Economics and Information Technology.

Sandra Goldschmidt is the second deputy chair of the NDR Broadcasting Council and was appointed by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). As a trade unionist, she brings experience in employee representation and social advocacy to the table. In her role as chair, she played a key role in shaping decisions on programming policy and participation in the Broadcasting Council.

Dr. Mehrdad Payandeh is a doctorate holder in economics and chairman of the Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) State Broadcasting Council. He is appointed by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and is a member of the Finance, Economics, and Information Technology Committee. Professionally, he serves as chairman of the DGB for the regions of Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Saxony-Anhalt. In previous positions, he was chief economist at the DGB Federal Board and a supervisory board member at ArcelorMittal Bremen.

Lisa Budde is deputy chairwoman of the Niedersachen (Lower Saxony) State Broadcasting Council and represents the business associations of the state. In this role, she brings economic and business perspectives to the work of the Broadcasting Council. She is also a member of several committees, including the Finance and Economics Committee.

Thomas Kärst is chairman of the Hamburg State Broadcasting Council and a member of the NDR Broadcasting Council. He serves as the regional church representative of the Northern Church (Nordkirche) to the Senate and Citizens' Assembly of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. His professional career encompasses positions as theologian, journalist, and press officer, including work at the German Press Agency and in church institutions. Kärst is particularly committed to work at the intersection of church, politics, and media.

Stefanie Szczupak is deputy chairwoman of the Hamburg State Broadcasting Council and represents the Jewish Community Hamburg in this role. She brings a socio-political perspective to the council and works in various committees, particularly on matters concerning programming and representation.

Dr. Heike Müller is deputy chairwoman of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern  Broadcasting Council and brings an agricultural policy perspective as a representative of rural areas. She is also vice president of the Farmers' Association Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In her role, she participates in central committees of the Broadcasting Council, for example the Finance and Economics Committee. Her expertise particularly encompasses questions relating to agriculture, rural structures, and media policy.

Frauke Lietz is deputy chairwoman of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Broadcasting Council at NDR and represents the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany in this role. In her position, she brings church and societal perspectives to the work of the Broadcasting Council. She is a member of the parliamentary committees of the Broadcasting Council, for example in the area of programming and oversight.

Kai Bellstedt has been a member of the NDR Broadcasting Council and the Schleswig-Holstein State Broadcasting Council since 2022. He currently serves as chairman, and is also deputy chairman of the Finance, Economics, and Information Technology Committee. Bellstedt was appointed by the AWO State Association Schleswig-Holstein. He is also a member of the SPD and a district council representative in Plön district (Schleswig-Holstein).

Gunnar Becker is deputy chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein State Broadcasting Council at NDR. He was nominated by the Schleswig-Holstein State Music Council for this position and appointed to the Broadcasting Council by NDR. In his role, he brings the perspective of music and cultural associations to the work of the council. Becker is particularly committed to promoting regional cultural offerings and ensuring diverse and balanced reporting at NDR.