RAB, BMI and MIW Announce Completion of Annual M&T Program

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | 11:46am CT

Radio Advertising Bureau

RAB, in conjunction with BMI, Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) and Xperi, have announced the successful completion of the 15th annual Rising Through the Ranks program. The program began with a virtual session on August 1, and continued with in-person sessions on August 9-10 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 management or those aspiring to move into management 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:

• Managing Up, Down & All Around
• Having it All
• Networking vs Not Working
• Bridging the Gap - Programming and Sales Synergy

• Lindsay Adams, general sales manager, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Chicago

• Hartley Adkins, president, market groups, iHeartMedia

• Valerie Blackburn, principal, VKB Media Consulting

• Kristin Cantrell, owner/chief executive officer, Seven Mountains Media and CapCity Communications

• Donna Detweiler, senior manager, technology outreach and education, Xperi

• Erica Farber, president and chief executive officer, RAB

• Lori Flowers, manager, integrated marketing and project management, Radio One

• Kelli Frieler, executive director of digital, Leighton Broadcasting/Leighton Engage

• Jessica Frost, assistant vice president, customer experience & engagement - Licensing, BMI

• Suzanne Grimes, president, Westwood One and executive vice president, CUMULUS MEDIA

• Kim Johnson, director of sales, RAB

• Susan Larkin, chief operating officer, Audacy

• Ruth Presslaff, board president, MIW

• Jeff Schmidt, senior vice president, professional development, RAB

• Allison Warren, vice president/market manager, CUMULUS Radio Nashville

• Ashley Wilson, director country programming, Kentucky/West Virginia Region, iHeartMedia

• Trisha Yearwood, award-winning artist

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.

"The RAB team and I look forward to bringing these motivated individuals together for Rising Through the Ranks every year," noted RAB President and CEO Erica Farber. "This year's group was exposed to new strategies, tactics and experiences for them to put to use immediately and to help them plan for their continued growth and involvement in the radio industry."

"BMI has been a proud supporter of Rising Through the Ranks since its inception, and we were thrilled to host the program again this year," added BMI AVP of Customer Experience & Engagement - Licensing Jessica Frost. "I was also very honored to be among the group of incredible executive speakers. From sharing our paths into the industry, including how we rose through the ranks, to giving tips on professional development in our areas of expertise, this class received some invaluable advice on how to succeed in radio and beyond."

"This was another stellar year. The attendees were outstanding as was the faculty and curriculum. MIW is so proud to be part of another successful RTTR," added MIW board president Ruth Presslaff.

2023 Rising Through the Ranks Graduates:

Amanda Allwood
Cox Media Group, Atlanta, Georgia

Melissa Amundson
Leighton Broadcasting, Alexandria, Minnesota

Sheifalika Bhatnagar
Cox Media Group, Jacksonville, Florida

Sheena Brook
BMI, Nashville, Tennessee

Debbie Cerrito
iHeartMedia, Studio City, California

Kierston Cook
iHeartMedia, Nashville, Tennessee

Kathleen Fink
Gen Media Partners, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Cindy Hunter
iHeartMedia, Cleveland, Ohio

Michelle Hurley
Saga Communications, Columbus, Ohio

Stacey Ko
SummitMedia, Honolulu, Hawaii

Stephanie Korab
Stingray Media, St. John's, Newfoundland

Meriah Kotary
Audacy, Fort Worth, Texas

Jen Lahmann
Leighton Broadcasting, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Jill Masek
NRG Media, Lincoln, Nebraska

Deanna Meadows
Forcht Broadcasting, Paintsville, Kentucky

Emmy Myers
Audacy, New York, New York

Annette Nagy
Salem Media Group, Los Angeles, California

Tiffany Robles
Cox Media Group, San Antonio, Texas

Tammy Sowder
Milner Media Partners, Bourbonnais, Illinois

Hannah Stromseth
Townsquare Media, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Kapi Thomas
Lotus Communications, Boise, Idaho

Josie Vote
SummitMedia, Omaha, Nebraska

Jessica Williams
Townsquare Media, Rochester, Minnesota

Mary Zukin
Iliad Media Group, Meridian, Idaho