Kirby, Raphael Join Media Institute Board of Trustees

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, December 8, 2025 | 4:53pm CT

Kethleen Kirby & Heidi Raphael

The Media Institute has elected two prominent industry leaders -- Kathleen Kirby of Wiley Rein LLP and Heidi Raphael of Beasley Media Group -- to its board of trustees.

Kirby, a veteran media attorney with more than 30 years of experience, is a partner at Wiley Rein LLC in Washington, D.C., where she co-chairs the firm's Telecom, Media, and Technology practice and serves on its Executive and Management committees. She represents major radio and television groups and programming networks on business, transactional, and regulatory matters before the Federal Communications Commission.

Her leadership background includes serving as president of the Federal Communications Bar Association and receiving honors from RTDNA and the Broadcasters Foundation of America. She is also a member of The Media Institute's First Amendment Advisory Council and sits on the Steering Committee for the Institute's Madison Project.

Raphael, Chief Communications Officer for Beasley Media Group, oversees corporate branding, public relations, and communications strategy for the company's multi-platform portfolio. She is the longtime Co-Chair of the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation and previously served in key leadership roles with Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, including seven years as spokesperson.

Raphael has also served on the NAB Radio Board and currently sits on the Florida Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. She is a past recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Award.

"We are delighted to have Kathy and Heidi joining our Board," said Media Institute President Richard Kaplar. "Each is highly respected in her field, and their complementary areas of expertise will be a valuable addition to our Board and to the Institute."

The Media Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on communications policy and First Amendment issues.