Mike McVay Honored with MIW Impact Award

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 0:01am CT

Mike McVay

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has named Mike McVay, President of McVay Media, as the recipient of the third annual Erica Farber Impact Award.

The award recognizes individuals who contribute time, expertise and resources to drive meaningful change and support industry advancement. McVay was presented with the honor by Erica Farber on April 20 during the MIW Lipstick & Lobster Dinner at Maggiano's.

MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said McVay has been a consistent advocate for both the radio industry and the advancement of women within it. She noted his willingness to share his experience and influence has made a lasting impact on MIW and the broader community.

McVay leads McVay Media, a consulting firm focused on content creation, programming, podcast development, digital strategy and talent coaching. His career spans more than four decades and includes leadership roles such as Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One, where he oversaw programming for more than 500 stations along with podcasting and digital initiatives.

Throughout his career, McVay has worked with and coached a range of media personalities, including Stephen A. Smith, Soledad O'Brien, Reba McEntire, John Tesh, Delilah and Elaina Smith. He has also been a longtime mentor to Elaina Smith, contributing to her development as a Country radio host and the voice of "Backstage Country."

McVay was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2025 and has received multiple industry honors, including the NAB National Radio Award and the Giants of Broadcasting Award.

In a statement, McVay said supporting organizations like MIW is important because they help create opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders. He added that he was honored to receive the recognition.

McVay is the third recipient of the Erica Farber Impact Award, following Dan Spears in 2025 and Farber herself, who received the inaugural award in 2024 at NAB.