Connoisseur Media Saginaw General Sales Manager Tracy Walker has been named the 2026 Mentee for Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio’s Speak Up! Mentorship Program. A Saginaw native, Walker entered radio five years ago after 15 years in retail leadership.
She started as an Account Executive at Alpha Media in September 2021, before being elevated to her current role in September 2025, when Connoisseur Media completed its acquisition of Alpha’s Saginaw cluster.
Developed by Media Staffing Network and in memory of the late Laurie Kahn, the Speak Up! Mentorship was created for women of all roles in small and medium radio markets. The year-long mentorship builds confidence and strengthens communication skills to help participants advance their career goals.
Walker is MIW’s fourth Speak Up! mentee since the program launched in 2023, following iHeartMedia Little Rock and Fayetteville, AR Social Media Manager and On-Air Personality Presleigh Bearden in 2025, Townsquare Media Rochester, MN National Host and Community Outreach Director Jessica Williams in 2024, and Iliad Media Group Senior Sales and Marketing Executive Mary Zukin in 2023.
MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said, “Learning to trust your voice and having the confidence to use it are essential parts of becoming a strong leader. Speak Up! gives women the opportunity to develop those skills with the guidance of people who understand both the challenges and opportunities that come with building a career in radio. Tracy has already demonstrated a strong commitment to her team, her clients, and her community, and we’re excited to support her as she takes this next step in her professional growth.”
Media Staffing Network President Lisa Fields added, “Laurie understood that having great ideas and talent is only part of the equation. She wanted women to feel confident advocating for themselves, contributing to their perspectives, and making sure their voices were heard. Speak Up! continues that work in her honor, and Tracy embodies the kind of driven, community-minded professional Laurie was passionate about helping succeed.”
Walker shared, “I’m truly honored to be selected for the MIW Speak Up program. I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow, learn from accomplished women in our industry, and continue building confidence in my own voice and leadership.”
