Riar Named 2024 Elevating Women in Programming Mentee

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 11, 2024

Kiran Riar

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has announced Kiran Riar as the recipient of the 2024 Elevating Women in Programming Mentorship program. Celebrating its sixth year, this mentorship opportunity is designed specifically for women in music programming. The program is a year-long experience that exposes the mentee to the best programming minds in the business. In addition, the program affords the mentee the chance to attend the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

Kiran Riar is an Assistant PD and air personality working with WMPS and WHBQ in Memphis. In 2013, she was hired by Flinn Broadcasting as a promotions assistant for CHR WHBQ-FM (Q1075) and within two years was programming and producing for WMPS-AM (Sunny 103). Since then, Riar has worked with formats ranging from new Alternative WIVG-FM (i96) to Throwback Hip Hop WHBQ-HD2 (Bumpin 96). She hosts Peabody Rooftop Party series, has represented Flinn Broadcasting at the Billboard Music Awards, and was told she has the best teeth in radio by the lead singer of Third Eye Blind.

MIW Board Member and Head of Independents for Luminate Data, Haley Jones said, "I'm so proud of our work at MIW connecting talented women. As a former programmer, this mentorship is especially meaningful to me and I can't wait to share with the bright light that is Kiran."

"Honored doesn't even begin to describe how thrilled I am to have been selected as the 2024 programming mentee," added Kiran. "It is a privilege to learn from such radio powerhouses and gratifying to know there are so many women who want to elevate others within the industry. Everyone at MIW has been so welcoming already, and I can't wait to get started."

Past mentees include: Traci LaTrelle, WHUR-FM Music Director and Assistant Program Director Leslie Scott, Vice President of Digital Audio Content, Audacy Inc.; Grisel Barajas, a rising programming star who passed unexpectedly in 2020; ICE, Amanda Habrowski, Assistant Program Director/Middays Host, iHeart Las Vegas, and most recently Meg Dowdy, Regional Content Director, Townsquare Media.