Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing female leadership in radio broadcasting, has announced Corinne Baldassano as the 2024 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer. Baldassano most recently served as senior programming and marketing vice president at Take On The Day, LLC/The Dr. Laura Program.
MIW presented the award during the 2024 NAB Show.
MIW’s Trailblazer Award, named for music industry pioneer and longtime Broadcast Music, Inc. 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.
Baldassano is a well-respected radio veteran with a long and successful career, which began at WHN Radio in New York City, where she started as an editorial researcher and rose to music director. She spent 16 years with ABC, including roles as music director at WPLJ-FM in New York and program director at KAUM-FM in Houston. She also served as PD under Boston Globe’s WSAI-FM in Cincinnati. She was later named PD of ABC’s Contemporary and FM Radio Networks, director of the ABC Entertainment Radio Network, and VP of programming for ABC Radio Networks, overseeing major programs like American Top 40. She also served on the board of directors for Nashville’s Country Radio Broadcasters. She worked as VP of programming at Westwood One and senior VP of programming at Sony’s SW Networks. Baldassano became general manager of the radio division at the Associated Press and most recently served as the senior VP of programming and marketing at Take On The Day, LLC. She is a founding member of the MIW and serves on its advisory board.
MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff said, “Corinne’s remarkable career firmly establishes her as a Trailblazer. In addition to all she’s accomplished, her selfless devotion to mentoring others and absolute delight in helping them achieve their goals is the essence of who she is. She is truly a mentor of mentors. We are thrilled to recognize her with our highest award.”
Baldasano added, “I am honored to accept this year’s Trailblazer Award from the MIWs. As I built my career, it was natural for me to guide others who also wanted to take a similar path. And it’s turned out to be one of the most important and satisfying things I’ve ever done. I’m proud of those I have mentored and am humbled to be recognized by an organization committed to fostering the growth of broadcasting’s next generation of women. I’m happy to see my work and theirs come full circle.”