The Most Influential Women In Radio 2017

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1999. It was the closing chapter to the 20th century, a year immortalized by Prince in song, and it marked the birth of the euro. And it was the year Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio list — the MIWs — made its debut.

For 18 years, after beginning with just 10 honorees, Radio Ink has been
spotlighting and celebrating women who have poured their spirit and their efforts into making radio stronger, prouder, and more inclusive, irrespective of any qualifier except talent.

HERE’S HOW THE 2017 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RADIO LIST APPEARED IN THE JUNE 19 ISSUE OF RADIO INK MAGAZINE.

As more women of influence have carved out success in the industry, their power and prestige have enhanced the potential for more opportunities and more doors available to be opened for others. What a wonderful domino effect that can lead to!

And it’s why this year, the criteria for the list were refreshed and revamped. While continuing to recognize the progress and success women have made in their own careers and on behalf of their companies, extending that influence by nurturing, guiding, and mentoring the careers of others is critical to continue the progress.

It’s also one of the reasons Radio Ink is especially proud of the organization the rose from that first list, the MIWs, a group of dedicated women (and men) whose mission is to “pay it forward.”

At the same time, the list is not ranked. Rather, it is a compilation of shining achievements, experience, advice, and encouragement others can learn from and follow. As part of the review process, our board also determined that “influence” can be unique, depending on one’s area of perspective.

This year’s list spotlights three distinct categories. The broader list consists primarily of corporate executives, CEOs, managers, and sales executives. Their positions allow them to play a general role in advancing careers across the board.

The on-air list recognizes the unique within the industry, but the powerful influence they exert outside the studio every time they open the mic.

Corporate communicators possess an uncommon power to influence in fashioning and projecting the message, both internally and externally — impacting not only how company cultures are shaped, but shared and disseminated publicly. As social media has dramatically evolved and changed the scope of this role, the board agreed a special spotlight was in order for these influencers.

It’s been a thoughtful, challenging, and always inspirational road to the 2017 Radio Ink Most Influential Women in Radio list. We are proud of the results and pleased to have the privilege of saluting some of the industry’s most remarkable women. We applaud them for their talent, share their dreams, and look forward to continuing to chart their successes in the years to come. Congratulations!
Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti

Here is how the 2017 Most Influential Women in Radio list appeared in the June 19, 2017 issue of Radio Ink Magazine (PDF format)


ANGELICA BALDERAS

Sr. VP
Entravision
Sacramento

 


DEBORAH BEAGAN

Executive Director
New York Market Radio Association

 


CAROLINE BEASLEY

CEO
Beasley Media

 


MARY BERNER
CEO
Cumulus Media

 


HEATHER BIRKS

Executive Director
Broadcast Education Association

 


VALERIE BLACKBURN
Project Manager
CBS Radio
Denver

 


BEVERLEE BRANNIGAN
VP/GM, Wichita Operations
VP/Programming Scripps Media

 


KIM BRYANT

EVP, West Coast
Sales
Westwood One

 


LINDA J. BYRD

President
North Florida Region
iHeartMedia

 


HEATHER COHEN

Executive VP
The Weiss Agency

 

 

 

BJ CORRIVEAU
VP/Radio Operations
National Association of Broadcasters

 


JANA COSGROVE

President, CBS Radio Sales and
Entercom Radio Sales
Katz Radio Group

 


CATHY CSUKAS

Co-Founder/Co-CEO
AdLarge

 


MICHELLE DUKE
Vice President
NAB Education Foundation

 

SHELLY EASTON
Vice President of Music Programming
Program Director, 92-XTU
CBS Radio Philadelphia

 


DEBORAH L. ESAYIAN

Chief Revenue Officer
Marketron Broadcast Solutions, Inc.

 


ERICA FARBER

President & CEO
Radio Advertising Bureau

 



MELISSA A. FORREST
President
San Diego/Riverside Region
iHeartMedia Markets Group

 


SARAH FRAZIER

Sr. VP/Market Manager
CBS Radio
Houston

 

 

MARY BETH GARBER
EVP/Marketing Strategy
Katz Media Group

 

 
VALERIE GELLER
Consultant, Trainer, Speaker
Geller Media International

 

CAROLYN GILBERT
Owner/President/Supreme High Priestess
NuVoodoo Media Services
(With grandkids Emma & Sam Cobert)

 


DAWN GIROCCO
VP/Market Manager
Cumulus Media
Los Angeles

 


SUZANNE GRIMES
EVP/Corporate Marketing
Cumulus Media
President
Westwood One

 

 

KIM GUTHRIE
President
Cox Media Group

 


DONNA HALL
VP/Market Manager
Cox Media Group
Atlanta Area Radio

 


MARY ELLEN KACHINSKE

Program Director
WTMX (101.9 The Mix)/Chicago
Hubbard Radio

 

LAURIE KAHN
President/Founder
Media Staffing Network

DEBBIE KENYON
Sr. VP/Market Manager
CBS Radio
Detroit

SHEILA F. KIRBY
SVP/Sales Development
CBS Radio

WEEZIE KRAMER
Chief Operating Officer
Entercom Communications

JINNY LADERER
Co-Founder & President
vCreative

SUSAN LARKIN
Regional VP
Cox Media Group
Orlando

MICHELE LAVEN
President/Strategic Partnerships
iHeartMedia

VAL MAKI
Market Manager
Los Angeles
Emmis Communications

LISA MILLER
President
Miller Broadcast Management

THEA MITCHEM
EVP/Programming
Northeast Division
iHeartMedia

HEATHER MONAHAN
Chief Revenue Officer
Beasley Media Group

SUSAN MOORE
VP/Sales Support
United Stations Radio Networks

GINNY MORRIS
CEO
Hubbard Radio

BETH NEUHOFF
CEO
Neuhoff Communications

KRISTIN OKESSON
Connoisseur Media
Connecticut

SUSAN K. PATRICK
Managing Partner
Patrick Communications

RUTH PRESSLAFF
Founder and President
Presslaff Interactive Revenue

CLAUDIA PUIG
Senior VP/General Manager
Univision Communications
Miami

MARY QUASS
CEO/President
NRG Media

STACEY LYNN SCHULMAN
EVP/Strategy & Analytics
Katz Radio Group

SHAYNA SHARPE
CEO
Regional Reps Corp.

SUZANNE SIMMS
EVP, Business to Consumer Division
Ramsey Solutions

KATHY STINEHOUR
VP/General Manager
Radio One Detroit

RADHA SUBRAMANYAM
President, Insights, Research & Analytics
iHeartMedia

DIANE SUTTER
President/CEO
ShootingStar Broadcasting

JULIE TALBOTT
President
Premiere Networks

CHRISTINE TRAVAGLINI
President
Christal Radio and KRG Partnerships
Katz Radio Group

MARGARET VERGHESE
VP/Comedy & Prep
United Stations Radio Networks

ON THE AIR

RITA COSBY
Political Editor and Host
WABC/New York
Cumulus Media

DELILAH
Host, Delilah
Premiere Networks

ELLEN K
Host, The Ellen K Morning Show
KOST-FM/Los Angeles
iHeartMedia

JOAN HAMBURG
Broadcast Journalist
WABC/New York

KIM KOMANDO
Nationally Syndicated Talk Host
USA Today/Gannett Columnist

PERSONALITIES

LIA KNIGHT
Syndicated Host
Westwood One

CHERI PRESTON
Anchor/Correspondent
ABC News Radio

SHIRLEY STRAWBERRY
Co-host, The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Shirley, Inc.
Premiere Networks

CONNIE SELLECCA
CEO/Host
Intelligence For Your Health

SUZYN WALDMAN
Color Commentator
New York Yankees

COMMUNICATIONS

ANGEL ARISTONE
SVP/Communications
iHeartMedia

YASHIMA WHITE AZILOVE
VP/Corporate Communications Officer
Urban One, Inc.

ANN MARIE CUMMING
Sr. VP/Communications
National Association of Broadcasters

LISA DOLLINGER
CEO
Dollinger Strategic Communication

WENDY GOLDBERG
EVP & Chief Communications Officer
iHeartMedia

KELLY HARRINGTON
Communications Manager
Reach Media

LEAH KAMON
SVP/Marketing & Communications
Radio Advertising Bureau

DENYSE MESNIK
President
The Mesnik Group

MONICA RABASSA
VP, Marketing & Promotions
Univision Local Media/Miami

HEIDI RAPHAEL
VP/Corporate Communications
Beasley Media Group

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