Rising Leaders
Empowering the Broadcast Innovators of Tomorrow
2026
Mission: Prepare today’s aspiring broadcast media professionals for station, c-suite, and community leadership.
Vision: Inspire the next generation of industry innovators, creators, and change-makers.
Rising Leaders is an MBA-styled program, designed to teach the business of the business in a supportive learning environment.
Our media industry is rapidly evolving. Rising Leaders simplifies radio and TV station management essentials. Department heads learn core principles, strategies, and leadership fundamentals from experienced professionals, collaborate in small groups, and receive individual coaching.
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Class
of
2025
Course Curriculum:
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Leadership: Identify strengths, build ethical teams, and enhance station culture.
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Revenue Development: Master sales fundamentals and drive team revenue.
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News Operations: Make editorial decisions, execute multi-platform content, and grow audiences with data and AI.
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Broadcast Accounting: Understand financials, manage cash flow, and create budgets.
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Strategic Planning: Set vision, develop goals, agree on benchmarks, and engage teams.
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Confident Leadership: Learn best practices from industry leaders.
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Partners in Your Success: Collaborate with Legal, HR, Engineering, and Creative Services.
Industry Insights: Each month, the curriculum focuses on best practices. Industry experts share insights such as:
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Things I wish I had known before I got the job
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Asking the right questions
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Embracing AI
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Recruiting, upskilling, and retaining top talent
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The FCC and your public file
About the Program:
The New York Broadcasters Association offers twenty full scholarships ($3,500) for the 2025 Rising Leaders class. Participants (or their sponsors) must cover seven overnight stays ($140 per Friday night) and travel to Albany's Landmark Desmond Hotel. Classes begin at 5 pm on Friday and finish at 5 pm Saturday one weekend each month.
The 2026 Rising Leaders Class Dates Are:
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April 10th & 11th
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May 8th & 9th
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June 12th & 13th
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September 18th & 19th
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October 20th-22nd (Tuesday-Thursday) - New York City with NYSBA
Applicants must be employed by a NYSBA member in good standing.
Attendees will be selected by a review team comprised of NYSBA and Roundtable Unlimited. Review team decisions are final.
NYSBA and Roundtable Unlimited Inc., are equal opportunity employers. In selecting applicants, we will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.
Application Deadline: February 20, 2026
Cayla McGurn, CMA
Market Controller
“(Rising Leaders) covered every corner of the broadcast world, dove deep into AI and the ‘new normal,’ and helped us lead with confidence, and trust, focusing on how to utilize the strengths we didn’t know we had. We’re all better for it.”
“We showed up as strangers and left with a group chat that’s pure chaos in the best way. The trust and support among us is unreal—and we have a network that will support us in the long run.”’
The Desmond Hotel - Albany, New York
