The Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting has selected Streamline Publishing Radio, TV & Broadcast Conference Division President/Publisher Deborah Parenti as its 2025 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer.
The Trailblazer Award, named for music industry pioneer and longtime Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) President/CEO Frances Preston, is the group’s highest accolade. It is presented annually to a woman who, through her leadership and accomplishments in the industry, champions and creates opportunities for other women in radio to further their careers.
Parenti will be honored with the award Monday evening (4/7) at the “MIW Lipstick & Lobster Dinner” at Maggiano’s, in the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas. A public presentation will be held Tuesday at 10am Pacific on the Main Stage at the 2025 NAB Show, during the “We Are Broadcasters” session with NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
In her role at Streamline Publishing, Deborah oversees Radio Ink, Radio + Television Business Report, and multiple industry conferences, including Forecast and the Hispanic Radio Conference. Parenti’s career began at WING-AM in Dayton, Ohio, where she advanced to VP and Assistant General Manager. She later became General Sales Manager of WDJX in Louisville before returning to Dayton as VP/GM of WWSN-FM (which 32 years ago last week became WMMX “MIX 107.7.”).
Parenti the first woman to manage a station in the Dayton market. She later led American Radio Systems’ six-station Dayton group, developing one of the first consolidated radio sales platforms, “Radio First!” She went on to manage WXTU-FM in Philadelphia and served on the board of Vox Radio.
A champion for the industry, Parenti has served on the boards of the Alliance for Women in Media, the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation, and the Radio Hall of Fame’s nominating committee. She is a National Radio Hall of Fame inductee and has received numerous accolades, including the Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Award and a Gracies Leadership Award from the Alliance for Women in Media.
MIW Board President Sheila Kirby commented, “Deborah has not only broken barriers in radio but has also consistently paved the way for women to follow. Her leadership, vision, and advocacy continue to shape the future of our industry, and MIW is honored to recognize her contributions.”
Parenti added, “I am incredibly humbled to receive this honor from MIW, an organization that has done so much to elevate women in radio. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with and mentor talented women, and I remain committed to fostering opportunities for future generations.”x
Parenti joins an esteemed list of past honorees, including Corinne Baldassano (2024), the late Laurie Kahn (2023), Michelle Duke (2022), Christine Travaglini (2019), Julie Talbott (2018), Mary Quass (2017), Beth Neuhoff (2016), Kim Guthrie (2015), Diane Sutter (2014), Weezie Kramer (2013), Caroline Beasley (2012), Ginny Hubbard Morris (2011), Lynn Anderson (2010), and Erica Farber (2009).
To learn more about the organization, please visit RadioMIW.com.
