The NAB Education Foundation has announced that Michelle Duke, director of diversity services, will manage the Broadcast Leadership Training Program. Duke replaces Heather Birks, who is now the executive director of the Broadcast Education Association.
Duke joined NABEF in January 2005. In her position, she has provided broadcasters with diversity-related strategies and resources to assist them with staffing, retention and business practices. Duke oversees “Broad Reach,” a diversity quarterly newsletter for broadcasters, “The Connections Mentoring Initiative,” as well as professional fellowship programs and career outreach initiatives.
NABEF developed the BLT program in 2001 to promote diversity and upward mobility for women and minorities in broadcast management. The BLT Program, which is the brainchild of Shooting Star Broadcasting president and CEO Diane Sutter, targets senior level broadcast managers of proven ability who aspire to advance as group executives or station owners.
At NAB2006, the BLT program hosted the first annual "Ownership Mentoring Forum," which was co-sponsored by the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council. The forum provided potential owners the opportunity to have informal face time with broadcasting CEOs, brokers and financial investors.
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