Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) has named Ruth Presslaff the recipient of its 16th annual Trailblazer Award. As the highest accolade from MIW, the award recognizes women who champion opportunities for others in the industry. Presslaff, the founder of Presslaff Interactive Revenue and a former MIW Board President, was honored during the 2026 NAB Show with a recognition interview conducted by Erica Farber.
Presslaff has consistently pushed the industry forward, beginning her career as the first female General Manager of WTUL in New Orleans before moving into commercial radio and leadership roles in major markets. Through Presslaff Interactive Revenue, she identified early on how technologies like digital marketing and first-party data could transform media revenue. She successfully built and sold her company twice and later led Enterprise Sales for Second Street Media.
Beyond her business success, Presslaff was instrumental in transitioning MIW into a 501(c)(3) non-profit. MIW Board President Sheila Kirby stated, “Ruth leads with vision, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up, and the progress we’ve made over the past decade is a direct reflection of her leadership and dedication. She is the very definition of a Trailblazer.”
Upon receiving the honor, Presslaff credited those who paved the way. “This only happened because of the leaders who came before me: Denyse Mesnik, Kay Olin, and Heidi Raphael who set the course for all MIW has achieved,” Presslaff said. She also expressed gratitude to the broadcasters who supported her vision for technology in advertising.
A frequent speaker for the RAB and the NAB, Presslaff joins a prestigious list of past honorees including Deborah Parenti and Caroline Beasley. She continues to mentor the next generation of leaders from her base in Southern California. To learn more about the organization, please visit https://www.radiomiw.com.