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
