MIW Names ’24 ‘Speak Up!’ Mentee

• 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 announces Jessica Williams, national AC radio host, and Community Outreach Director for Townsquare Media Rochester, MN as its Speak Up! 2024 mentee.

Created in partnership with Media Staffing Network and the late Laurie Kahn, Speak Up! is a one-year program designed for one mentee from any department in a small to medium radio market.  The program is designed to encapsulate so much of what Laurie brought to the industry — a mentorship that encourages and empowers women to develop confidence and sharpen communication skills — to hone the ability to effectively speak up to further attain her goals.

Since Williams joined the radio industry in 2017, she has been named one of the Top 20 Content Creators for Townsquare Media and was invited to participate in Rising Through the Ranks in Nashville. She’s currently the afternoon drive host for several Townsquare AC stations and the Community Outreach Director for Townsquare Media Rochester. She also serves on the board of directors for The Landing MN, and in 2023 Williams was honored as the mentee for the MIW Minnesota State Broadcasters Mentorship program.

MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff commented, “Jessica is such a talent, and I’m so excited to see her awarded this mentorship. I suspect Laurie Kahn would be very proud of this choice. Sincere thanks to Lisa Fields, President of Media Staffing Network for the continued support of this program and the incredible mentoring she contributes.”

Williams remarked, “I’m truly overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude. Hearing those words, ‘You’re our mentee!’ has left me spinning. I’m so thankful for the amazing women who will guide me over the next year, those I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting, and for the visionaries behind this mentorship program. I can’t wait for the incredible journey ahead!”