NABLF Celebrates 25 Years of Broadcast Leadership Training

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | 11:28am CT

NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF)

The NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) has announced the graduation of the 2025 class of its Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) program, marking the program's 25th anniversary and bringing the total number of alumni to 432.

Designed as an executive MBA-style initiative, the BLT program equips senior-level radio and television professionals with the strategic knowledge and leadership skills necessary to manage broadcast stations and lead diverse teams. Over the past quarter century, the program has played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of broadcast executives.

To commemorate its silver anniversary, NABLF hosted a series of events in Washington, DC, and Las Vegas, including a leadership symposium and alumni receptions. The foundation also introduced the Shooting Star Award, named in honor of program founder and dean Diane Sutter. The inaugural award was presented to S. Jenell Trigg, a BLT alumna and former broadcast executive whose career includes 16 years in sales and marketing, as well as legal work in privacy and data protection.

Sutter reflected on the program's milestone, "Over the past 25 years, we've created long-term value for the industry by adhering to a core philosophy - helping people reach their full potential prepares them to lead broadcasting into the next generation," she said. "I'm excited about what we're going to see in the next quarter century and how we'll continue to innovate, inform and inspire the communities we serve."

Sutter was also recognized at the Celebration of Service to America Awards ceremony, where she received an eagle statue in appreciation of her lifelong contributions to the broadcast industry.

The 2025 BLT class includes:

• Dana Bojcic, SVP, Talent Development & HR, Futuri Media

• Blake Bridges, GM, WYFF, Hearst Television

• JC Campese, VP/Market Manager, Cox Media Group, Orlando Radio

• Rebecca Cantu, President/GM, KIII, TEGNA

• Sean Franklin, VP/GM, WLEX, E.W. Scripps

• Nikki Gahan, Regional Digital Sales Manager, FOX Television Stations

• Sean Garcia, Director, Creative Services, WSB-TV, Cox Media Group

• Cherish Geter, General Sales Manager, WJXT, Graham Media Group

• Maurice Gibson, VP, Human Resources, Gray Media

• LeAnne Markins, Station Manager, WKBW, E.W. Scripps

• Brian McGhee, Director, Sales, Urban One D.C.

• Chris Palmer, VP/GM, WKBT, Morgan Murphy Media

• Ivy Savoy-Smith, SVP/Market Manager, Audacy

• Kristine Strain, VP, News Director and Station Manager, KCNC, CBS Paramount

• Jason Strongin, SVP, Audio Sales and Client Solutions, TelevisaUnivision

• Jennifer Williams, Director, Digital Media and Strategic Initiatives, Bonneville International

The foundation expressed gratitude to this year's program sponsors, which include major broadcast and media organizations such as Beasley Media Group, Cox Media Group, Fox TV Stations, Gray Television, Hearst Television, TEGNA, and TelevisaUnivision.

More information on the Broadcast Leadership Training program is available at nabfoundation.org.