Karen Carson Named 2025 MIW Airblazer Award Honoree

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 11:01pm CT

Karen Carson

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW), in partnership with Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC), has announced Karen Carson of "Karen Carson in the Morning" on Audacy's WNEW-FM (NEW 102.7 FM) in New York as the recipient of the 2025 MIW Airblazer Award. The honor, now in its tenth year, recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the radio industry and their communities.

The recipient is traditionally selected by the previous year's honoree -- in this case, syndicated radio icon Delilah -- and will be officially presented during Morning Show Boot Camp on Friday, August 8 at the Downtown Marriott in Austin, TX.

"To be recognized by Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, and to receive the Airblazer Award is truly an honor," said Carson. "I've always believed in the power of authentic connection through audio, and to be celebrated for doing what I love, alongside a team I adore, is just amazing. Thank you to MIW, Morning Show Boot Camp, Delilah and to all our listeners who tune in every day - you're why we do what we do."

Carson leads one of the most listened-to Hot AC morning shows in the country and remains the only female-led morning show on New York radio. Her decades-spanning career includes stops at WLTW, WAXQ, SiriusXM's The Pulse and Pop Rocks, and across formats from Classic Rock in Hawaii to Smooth Jazz with Sony. She currently anchors a breakout trio alongside Johnny Mingione and Anthony Malerba on NEW 102.7.

Beyond the mic, Carson is known for her commitment to community. In 2024, she spearheaded a holiday toy drive that collected over 10,000 toys and organized a charity walk across Staten Island. She balances her broadcasting success with life as a mom of three, and somehow still finds time to train for triathlons and refurbish furniture.

"Karen exemplifies the resilience, creativity, and leadership that define the MIW Airblazer Award," said MIW Board President Sheila Kirby. "Her voice resonates far beyond the mic... not just as a top-tier morning talent, but as a committed advocate for her community and an inspiring example for women in our industry."

Delilah, the 2024 Airblazer honoree, echoed the sentiment: "Karen is an achiever, a performer, a most talented air personality. Her talents are for all to hear in Morning Drive on NEW 102.7 FM, scoring big wins and top rankings. She's earned this Airblazer Award for her tenacity, talent, and trailblazing ways."

Carson joins a distinguished list of past Airblazer Award winners, including Dana Cortez (2023), Patty Steele (2022), DeDe McGuire (2021), Angela Yee (2020), Kellie Rasberry (2019), and Ellen K (2015), among others.