Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing female leadership in broadcasting, and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation have opened applications for the 2025 Launch mentorship program. The initiative is supported by Mr. Master, a U.S. provider of broadcast automation and compliance software, and Premiere Networks, an American syndicator owned by iHeartMedia that distributes radio programming to thousands of stations nationwide.
Started in 2023, Launch is a year-long mentorship designed to support women pursuing technical careers in broadcasting, including engineering, audio production and technical operations. The program pairs a rising professional with an experienced industry leader for one-on-one coaching and hands-on exposure to the technical side of the business.
The selected mentee will gain insight into areas such as regulatory compliance, RF systems, emergency alert systems, IP-based broadcasting, automation and network operations. Training will also cover IT, remote broadcasting, digital audio, streaming and systems integration. The chosen participant will attend the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas as part of the program.
Mission cornerstone
Sheila Kirby, president of the MIW board, said, “The Launch program is a cornerstone of MIW’s mission to open doors for women in every corner of broadcasting. By focusing on engineering and technical operations, we’re not only providing critical skills and mentorship, but also ensuring that women have a strong voice in shaping the future of our industry.”
Michelle Duke, president of the NAB Leadership Foundation, added, “The NAB Leadership Foundation is honored to partner with Mentoring and Inspiring Women to help launch the next generation of female engineers and technologists in broadcasting. As the industry embraces innovation, we are proud to champion organizations that share our commitment to advancing opportunity and empowering future leaders who will shape the future of local media.”
The deadline for applications is Sept. 18, 2025. You can find more information and apply here.
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