Breakfast Speakers

Each month at the WBE Breakfast we have an inspirational speaker. Thank you to all of our speakers!  Our speaker for September 2008 was:

When Edie Hilliard left her teaching job to start a career in radio, some 35 years ago, it was on the ground floor of a male-dominated industry. A combination of three things led to her rapid rise in media: federal affirmative action laws, undeniable talent, and, probably most importantly, a boss who became her mentor. Reflecting on the change and growth that followed for her career, Edie realized that she had become a go-to person for her boss because she was on his list.

Truthfully, there are a lot of lists out there, and some are easier to get on to than others (you don’t have to do much to get top spot on the soccer team carpool list). Some of the best lists, however, are the ones that make things really start to happen for you once your name has been added. The question is, how do you get on them? Edie will be sharing her advice on how to get on those lists.

Biographical information about Edie Hilliard

A trailblazer for women in radio, Edie Hilliard started her career as promotion manager for Kaye-Smith Radio in Portland. She moved into sales at the company’s Seattle station KJR-AM and within two years was promoted to sales manager -- one of the first women to hold that position in any major market. Edie left KJR in 1981 to become general manager of KING-AM Seattle and spent three years there before leaving to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

In 1987 Edie was named President/General Manager of Seattle-based Broadcast Programming (BP), which provides radio formats and programming services to stations. Over the next six years, Edie consolidated the industry, acquiring nine competitors, and developing digital format systems to replace tape. After BP’s merger with Jones Radio Networks (JRN) in 2001, Edie was promoted to VP/COO of what had become the largest independent network in the industry. Later, as Executive VP & COO of GreenStone Media, Edie led a team that launched a New York and Los Angeles network of radio programming by and for women before retiring in early 2007.

Throughout her career, Edie has been active in industry associations and in the community. In 2000, as a cabinet member of Seattle’s United Way, she led a radio campaign that was credited with generating a record-setting 13% boost in giving to $93.3 million, putting Seattle’s United Way second in the nation. She was selected by readers of Radio Ink as #1 on the magazine’s list of “Radio’s Most Influential Women” in 2000 and was the Washington State Association of Broadcasters “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2002. Known as a leader and mentor, she continues to work with organizations that encourage and support the advancement of women in the radio industry.