RAB, in conjunction with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) and Xperi, is celebrating successful completion of the 16th annual Rising Through the Ranks program.
The program began with a virtual session on Tuesday, August 13, and continued with in-person sessions on August 20-22 at the BMI Nashville office.
Attendees were selected following an application process. The two-day curriculum focused on the specific needs of women in radio leadership or those aspiring to move into leadership positions. The program worked to enhance their overall knowledge and skills. The classroom materials, including participants’ notebooks, were sponsored by Mr. Master.
Sessions included such topics as:
- Having it All
- Building Your Personal Brand
- Beyond Management: Unlocking the Leader Within
- Building Team Culture
Featured speakers included:
- Hartley Adkins, president, market groups, iHeartMedia
- Rob Babin, executive vice president, radio, Cox Media Group
- Danni Bruns, operating manager, program director of mornings, CUMULUS MEDIA
- Kristin Cantrell, owner/chief executive officer, Seven Mountains Media and CapCity Communications
- Joe D’Angelo, senior vice president of broadcast radio and digital audio, Xperi
- Erica Farber, immediate past president and chief executive officer, RAB
- Kelli Frieler, owner, Vibrant Impact and director, Guaranty Digital Media
- Kim Johnson, vice president of professional development, RAB
- Susan Larkin, chief operating officer, Audacy
- Ruth Presslaff, board president, MIW
- Jeff Schmidt, senior vice president, professional development, RAB
- Erika Sylvia, market accounting manager – Houston and Dallas, Radio One
- Sandye Taylor, senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, BMI
- Brooke Williams, senior vice president, membership, RAB
- Trisha Yearwood, award-winning artist
- Linnae Young, executive vice president, operations and revenue development, Salem Media Group
The curriculum was customized to feature practical and real-world applications that participants can immediately put to use within their companies and for their personal development.
“This year’s graduates join the 440 women who have participated and benefited from RAB’s Rising Through the Ranks,” noted NAB President/CEO Mike Hulvey. “We are immensely proud of the initiative and its impact on the business.”
2024 Rising Through the Ranks Graduates:
Kaylee Barr
Cox Media Group, Orlando, Florida
Laurie Clotworthy
Audacy, New Orleans/Kenner, Louisiana
Katie Doherty
Southern Stone Communications, Jackson, Tennessee
Sheri Fermoyle
Hubbard Radio Minnesota North, Alexandria, Minnesota
Hannah Hageman
WHOP, Forcht Broadcasting, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Monique Harris
Cox Media Group, Atlanta, Georgia
Terri Hayden
BMI, Nashville, Tennessee
Nikki Kuniej
Saga Communications, Charleston, South Carolina
Liz Lively
Wheeler Broadcasting, Roanoke, Va.
Alice Lobo
Premiere Radio Networks, New York
Annette Malave
RAB, New York
Kellie Marnin
Audacy, New York
Amanda Orlando
Cumulus Media — WRRM “Warm 98.5” in Cincinnati
Lauren Pallitto
iHeartMedia, Detroit
Kelly Pruitt
Cumulus Media/Indianapolis
Samantha Randall
Seven Mountains Media, Corning-Elmira, N.Y.
Heather Riley
Ham Broadcasting/The Edge Media Group, Cadiz, Kentucky
Morgan Spano
Cox Media Group, San Antonio/Abilene, Texas
Kristen Summers
Community First Broadcasting, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Tess Taylor
Hubbard Radio Brainerd, Baxter, Minnesota
Liz Urban
Beasley Media Group, Ferndale, Michigan
Emily Vainstein
Audacy, Los Angeles
Bani Werner
Alpha Media, North Mankato, Minn.
Felicia Wong
Cox Media Group Local Solutions, Tampa-St. Petersburg
