National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith announced today that Michelle Duke will assume the role of Chief Diversity Officer, effective July 1. In the newly created position, Duke will spearhead NAB’s internal efforts to further equity and inclusion at all levels of the organization and elevate NAB’s external role as a resource to NAB member companies in their efforts to increase and promote industry diversity.
Duke will also continue in her current role as president of the NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) where The NABLF’s renowned Broadcast Leadership Training is a 10-month, MBA-style program that teaches the fundamentals of purchasing, owning and operating radio and television stations to senior-level broadcast executives, particularly women and people of color. Scores of graduates over the past 20 years have been promoted to more prominent positions, and many have become owners of broadcast stations. In addition, the Foundation’s annual Celebration of Service to America Awards has grown into an anticipated Washington, DC tradition that includes celebrities, members of Congress, FCC commissioners and industry leaders. Duke was awarded the National Area Capital Alliance for Women in Media Star Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Wall of Fame for the School of Journalism in the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University in 2018. She is also consistently recognized as one of Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio.
