RAB, BMI, MIW Complete Radio Management Program

RAB, in conjunction with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) and Xperi, is pleased to announce 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.

2023 Graduates with Featured Speakers including Kristin Cantrell, Kelli Frieler, Jessica Frost, and Trisha Yearwood

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

Featured speakers included:

• 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 Erica Farber, president and chief executive officer, RAB. “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,” said Jessica Frost, BMI’s AVP of Customer Experience & Engagement – Licensing. “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. I want to thank the RAB and MIW for their longstanding partnership with us on this incredible program and look forward to what’s to come for this year’s amazing class of women.”

“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 Ruth Presslaff, board president, Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc.

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