DALLAS, TX (April 8, 2025) - Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, proudly names Deborah Parenti, the 2025 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer. Deborah is President and Publisher of the Radio, TV & Broadcast Conference Division of Streamline Publishing.
MIW’s Trailblazer Award, named for music industry pioneer and longtime Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) President and CEO Frances Preston, is MIW’s highest accolade. It is presented annually to a woman who, through her leadership and accomplishments in the industry, champions and creates opportunities for other women in radio to further their careers.
Deborah was honored with the award last night, Monday, April 7th at the MIW Lipstick & Lobster Dinner at Maggiano’s, followed by a public presentation today on the Main Stage at the 2025 NAB Show during the We Are Broadcasters session with Curtis LeGeyt on Tuesday, April 8th at 10:00 AM.
In her role at Streamline Publishing, Deborah oversees Radio Ink, Radio + Television Business Report, and multiple industry conferences, including Forecast and the Hispanic Radio Conference. Her career began at WING in Dayton, where she advanced to VP and Assistant General Manager. She later became General Sales Manager at WDJX in Louisville before returning to Dayton as VP/GM of WWSN (now WMMX) - the first woman to manage a station in that market. Deborah later led American Radio Systems’ six-station Dayton group, developing one of the first consolidated radio sales platforms, "Radio First!" She went on to manage WXTU-FM in Philadelphia and served on the board of Vox Radio.
A champion for the industry, Deborah has served on the boards of the Alliance for Women in Media, the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation, and the Radio Hall of Fame’s nominating committee. She is a National Radio Hall of Fame inductee and has received numerous accolades, including the Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Award and a Gracies Leadership Award from the Alliance for Women in Media.
MIW Board President Sheila Kirby states, “Deborah has not only broken barriers in radio but has also consistently paved the way for women to follow. Her leadership, vision, and advocacy continue to shape the future of our industry, and MIW is honored to recognize her contributions.”
Deborah adds, “I am incredibly humbled to receive this honor from MIW, an organization that has done so much to elevate women in radio. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with and mentor talented women, and I remain committed to fostering opportunities for future generations.”
Deborah joins an esteemed list of past honorees, including Corinne Baldassano (2024), the late Laurie Kahn (2023), Michelle Duke (2022), Christine Travaglini (2019), Julie Talbott (2018), Mary Quass (2017), Beth Neuhoff (2016), Kim Guthrie (2015), Diane Sutter (2014), Weezie Kramer (2013), Caroline Beasley (2012), Ginny Hubbard Morris (2011), Lynn Anderson (2010), and Erica Farber (2009).
To learn more about the organization, please visit RadioMIW.com.
About MIW:
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) is a volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of top-level female radio professionals, from across the country, who are dedicated to using their influence and resources to help other women in radio broadcasting develop management and leadership skills. The MIW organization is equally committed to advocating for the advancement of women to senior positions within the radio industry. For more information, please visit www.RadioMIW.com.