Hats are off to the 2012 graduating class of the fifth annual “Rising through the Ranks” Women in Radio Management and Leadership Training Program, held at BMI offices in Nashville, Aug. 29–30.

Sponsored by the Radio Advertising Bureau, in conjunction with BMI and the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group, a total of 30 participants were awarded scholarships to attend.

The two-day course emphasized the specific needs of women in management roles, including enhancing overall management knowledge and skills.

Instructors were all leading women in the field, who hold positions at BMI, CBS Radio, RAB, Integrated Media Solution Group, 5 Star Radio, Katz Marketing Solutions, Neuhoff Media, Local Focus and Alliance for Women in Radio.

“It was so inspiring to be in a room with such wonderful people, all from the same industry, sharing so many different ideas,” participant Cheryl Mulligan said in a statement. The senior account manager at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment added that she will be taking what she learned and applying it back in the office.

Mulligan was joined by her fellow graduates:

Rene Adams, First Natchez Radio Group

Amberly Beckman, Inland Northwest Broadcasting

Aimee Bittourna, Emmis Communications

Luci Breuer, Entercom Communications Corp.

Sheena Calton, Radio Advertising Bureau

Cathy Cangiano, Bonneville

Melissa Companik, Journal Broadcast Group Inc.

Cindie Crabtree, Forever Communications

Jackie D'Eon, CBS Radio

Kim DiGiovanni, Maverick Media

Megan Downey, Cox Media Group

Sarah Gillespie, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment

Kristen Graves, CBS Radio

Stephanie Heide, Saga Communications Inc.

Alison Johnson, CBS Radio

Jenna Kirk, Inland Northwest Broadcasting

Angela Kluke, My Broadcasting Corp.

Cathy Lloyd-Bauerle, CBS Radio

Kristine Lynch-Lesh, Townsquare Media

Michelle Maro, CBS Radio

Kimberly Martinez, Entercom

Kathi Pag, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment

Christie Pederson, Bonneville Seattle Media Group

Heather Pennella, Buck Owens Production Co.

Katie Philippi, Three Eagles Communications

Patty Reilly-Murphy, CBS Radio

Leslie Roberts, BMI

Cressy Walton, Alpha Broadcasting

Maegan Wilburn, Cox Media Group