Laurie Kahn Named ’23 MIW Trailblazer
• Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) has named the late Laurie Kahn, Founder of Media Staffing Network and loyal MIW supporter, as the 2023 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer.
MIW’s Trailblazer Award, named in honor of the late music industry pioneer and longtime BMI President & CEO Frances Preston, is MIW’s highest accolade and 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.
Ms. Kahn, well known and deeply respected by her radio industry colleagues, passed away in October of 2022. She began her radio career in Kansas City, moved into sales management in Chicago and then established Media Staffing Network in 1993. A mentor throughout her career, Kahn strived to help people be as prepared as possible to land their dream jobs.
The MIW Trailblazer Award will be presented during next week’s NAB Show in Las Vegas during the We are Broadcasters awards program on the Main Stage, Tues., April 18 at 10am. Accepting this honor on Laurie’s behalf will be her friend and business partner since 1998, Patty Kincaid, VP/GM of Media Staffing Network, who remarked, “Receiving the MIW Trailblazer Award is a wonderful honor, and I’m proud to accept this award on behalf of Laurie Kahn and her family. Laurie was committed to helping people find the career of their dreams, a mission all of us at Media Staffing Network strive to continue every day. We are grateful for this tribute and know Laurie would be very proud to be recognized.”
MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff comments, “As so many of us know, Laurie built a successful company dedicated to helping media professionals grow their careers. What I suspect most do not know is that her devotion to this industry, and particularly the women it employs, compelled her to spend some of her very precious and limited time leading to her passing working with MIW to create the Speak Up! Mentorship. The very first mentee has been selected and will be announced shortly.”
As the 2023 MIW Trailblazer, Laurie Kahn’s name will be included in an illustrious group of previous honorees that include 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).
