Jillene Khan’s passion for storytelling, her love of all kinds of music, and natural curiosity about the world has led to a successful career in media and broadcasting. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Jillene’s fascination with the people she heard talking in-between songs on the radio led to her desire to work in radio. From an early age, the power of radio greatly impacted her. Her family was the recipient of a “Christmas Wish” from the Dave Ryan Morning Show on legendary station, KDWB, when she was a pre-teen. Around the same age, she met syndication superstar, Delilah, at an appearance.
Jillene pursued radio broadcasting at Brown College in St. Paul, MN. After graduating, she had the opportunity to further her education by working with one of her idols and legendary Twin Cities personality, Tony Fly, at KTTB in Minneapolis. There, she built on her foundation of skills in all areas of radio including on-air, production, promotions, events, and digital marketing.
She has kept her Midwestern roots as a host on radio stations in the Twin Cities (KTTB, KHTC, KSJN); Davenport, Iowa (WLLR); Milwaukee, WI (WKTI); and Madison, WI (WMGN). She has received local and national recognition for her work as an on-air and digital personality.
In 2021, Jillene received a Gracies Award from the Alliance for Women in Media. She’s been recognized multiple times by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association as Best Radio Show, and Best Online Personality; and received honors for Best Interview, Live Broadcast, and Sports Coverage for her work with the voice of the Green Bay Packers, Wayne Larrivee. Jillene was Afternoon Host at WLLR when the station was recognized as Best Small Market Radio Station from the Country Music Association in 2013.
A graduate of the MIW’s Rising Through The Ranks training in 2017, the following year, Jillene was chosen as one of four women to participate in the MIW’s Mildred Carter Mentoring Program. She is a part of the volunteer-led MIW Marketing Committee. Jillene has been a panelist at radio conferences, a guest on podcasts, and has spoken at numerous high schools and colleges about opportunities in radio.
Jillene is heard on over 200 radio stations across the country as overnight host on American Public Media’s Classical music service, Your Classical. She’s based in the Twin Cities and can be heard locally in Minneapolis/St. Paul on Your Classical Minnesota Public Radio (KSJN).
Outside of radio, her favorite things include: spending time with loved ones, the embrace of a great hug, an animal of any kind, and the thrill of a new experience. Jillene also enjoys being outdoors, no matter what the weather. She says, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”