Every International Women’s Day, we pause to celebrate the women who are shaping industries, breaking barriers, and leading with impact.
This year, we’re highlighting 40 women whose work is helping to build the future of audio. These are the CEOs, founders, directors, and senior managers whose decisions influence how podcasts and audio experiences reach audiences and generate revenue. They’re driving business, steering technology, building partnerships, and re-shaping corporate culture — all while paving the way for the next generation of women leaders in the industry.
Without further ado, let’s meet the women shaping the podcast world this year:
1. Fatima Zaidi, CEO and Founder, CoHost and Quill
Fatima Zaidi is the Founder and CEO of Quill, an award-winning production agency specializing in corporate audio, and CoHost (that’s us!), a podcast hosting and analytics platform helping brands measure real business impact. Since launching Quill in 2019, she has worked with leading global brands, like PwC, Walmart, and Expedia, to turn podcasts into measurable, storytelling channels.
Fatima is a frequent contributor and commentator for outlets including The Globe and Mail, Bloomberg, Forbes, and Entrepreneur. Her work and leadership have earned her accolades such as Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Future Award, DMZ’s Women of the Year, The Women in Content Marketing Award, Canadian Business’ Innovator Award, and a spot on Flare Magazine’s Top 100 Women.
2. Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer, Triton Digital
Sharon Taylor is the Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital, where she leads the company’s global revenue growth and expansion strategy. She’s been with Triton Digital since 2017, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Podcast and Content Delivery, where she played a key role in scaling the company’s programmatic and audio advertising offerings.
Before joining Triton, she was CEO of Omny Studio (acquired by Triton Digital), transforming the start-up into one of the world’s leading enterprise podcast platforms.
3. Rosemary Scalabrino, Director of Business Development, Oxford Road
Rosemary Scalabrino is the Director of Business Development at Oxford Road, a leading podcast advertising agency. With over eight years in audio media, Rosemary brings deep experience in sales, media buying, and helping brands connect with audiences through the power of audio.
She began her podcast career at Cadence13, serving as Manager of West Coast Sales, and has since built a reputation as a passionate advocate for creator-driven media.
4. Heather Gordon, Managing Director, Canada, Acast
Heather Gordon leads Acast Canada, powering some of the country’s most innovative and engaging podcasts. With a passion for supporting creators, amplifying Canadian stories, and growing the podcast ecosystem, Heather works closely with artists, advertisers, and partners to unlock the full potential of audio storytelling.
With more than two decades in digital media and sales leadership at CBC/Radio-Canada and Bell Media, Heather combines media expertise with podcast innovation, ensuring creators, brands, and listeners all benefit from the power of audio.
5. Karissa Jhangiani, Vice President, TCG
Karissa Jhangiani is Vice President at The Chernin Group, one of the largest owners and investors in podcast networks. In her role, she combines a strong finance and technology background to support TCG’s investments and growth in the media and podcast space.
Before joining TCG, Karissa was an associate at Accel-KKR, a software and tech-enabled services private equity firm, and an investment banking analyst at Moelis & Company, where she focused on M&A across consumer, media, and healthcare sectors.
6. Twila Dang, Founder and CEO, Matriarch Digital Media
Twila Dang is the Founder and CEO of Matriarch Digital Media and a 2025 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee. With over fifteen years in radio, public media, and independent production, Twila has built her career at the intersection of women’s voices, media, and business. Her work spans content strategy, podcast and video production, public speaking, and professional coaching.
In addition to leading Matriarch Digital Media, Twila is launching BookMother, a community-rooted bookstore opening in Spring 2026. She is dedicated to building spaces where women, creators, and communities feel seen, empowered, and connected.
7. Amie Jordan, SVP of Finance and Operations, Unwell
Amie Jordan is a dynamic and results-driven leader with over 14 years of experience spanning media, technology, consumer goods, entertainment, and SaaS.
As SVP of Finance & Operations at Unwell, Amie has helped the company grow threefold, streamline operations across 20+ subsidiaries, and support a 75+ person team, proving that strong leadership behind the scenes is just as important as the voices you hear on air.
8. Krystina Rubino, General Manager, Offline Practice, Right Side Up
Krystina Rubino leads the Offline Practice at Right Side Up, guiding a team that helps fast-growing tech companies scale through marketing strategies like paid media, SEO, email campaigns, and analytics.
She’s also the voice behind the Growth Talks podcast, where she dives into the latest in marketing and growth, and frequently shares her expertise through speaking engagements, articles, and advising startups in ad tech and analytics.
9. Jennifer Moss, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, JAR Podcast Solutions
Jennifer Moss is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at JAR Podcast Solutions, where she helps brands and creators bring stories to life through podcasts and other audio experiences. With nearly a decade of experience in audio storytelling, Jennifer acts as a “story doula,” guiding projects from concept to launch. She collaborates with creators across mediums, from film and print to radio and interactive digital storytelling, championing the power of audio to connect, engage, and inspire listeners.
10. Shannon Martin, Podcast Strategist, Branded Podcast Production & Growth, Lower Street
Shannon Martin is a podcast strategist at Lower Street, where she helps brands, agencies, and creators craft podcasts that connect with listeners. With experience spanning production, strategy, and audience growth, she’s worked with a wide range of clients, from startups to enterprise organizations, to launch and grow their podcasts. Whether it’s branded podcasts, internal communications, or thought leadership series, Shannon is passionate about helping people tell their stories in ways that resonate.
11. Emily Rasekh, SVP, Global Podcast Strategy & Operations, Sony Music Entertainment
Emily Rasekh is the SVP of Global Podcast Strategy & Operations for Sony Music Entertainment’s podcast division, where she leads efforts to expand partnerships, distribution, and monetization in the rapidly evolving podcast space. With a keen eye for strategy and growth, Emily helps bring podcasts to bigger audiences while creating meaningful opportunities for creators and brands alike.
Before joining Sony Music, Emily served as VP of Digital Partnerships at Audacy, where she shaped digital content distribution across emerging platforms, mobile, and streaming channels.
12. Michelle Khouri, CEO and Founder, FRQNCY Media Co.
Michelle Khouri is an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur, executive producer, and host. As the founder and CEO of FRQNCY Media, she leads a team that produces podcasts and video content, blending editorial vision with hands-on production expertise.
Her work spans the globe, from capturing local voices on the streets of Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea for Globocurious, to producing branded projects for organizations like Coca-Cola, Spotify, and The Jane Goodall Institute. With over a decade of experience, Michelle excels at turning stories into experiences, mixing field reporting, sound design, and narrative.
13. Hala Taha, Founder and CEO, YAP Media
Hala Taha is the founder and host of the Young and Profiting (YAP) Podcast, a top 100 entrepreneurship show where she’s interviewed world-class guests like Matthew McConaughey, Gary Vee, Alex Hormozi, and Deepak Chopra. Recognized as a 2022 Webby Honoree and featured on the cover of Podcast Magazine, Hala has built a platform where learning, growth, and profit intersect.
Beyond the mic, Hala is the CEO of YAP Media, an award-winning agency specializing in social media, podcast production, and growth strategies for top podcasters, CEOs, and celebrities. She also runs the YAP Media Network and YAP Academy, helping creators monetize and grow their audience.
14. Danielle Desir Corbett, Founder, Grants for Creators and The Thought Card
Danielle Corbett is the founder of Grants For Creators, one of the largest online grant discovery platforms for U.S. creatives, sharing over 100 funding opportunities monthly. Since 2022, Danielle has helped her community secure over $150,000 in funding, empowering podcasters, journalists, filmmakers, and artists to bring bold ideas to life.
She’s also the creator of The Thought Card, an award-winning travel and money platform where she teaches financially savvy travelers how to explore the world without financial stress. Through her podcast and blog, Danielle shares practical strategies for making travel more meaningful, sustainable, and achievable.
15. Amber Smith, Director of Content Strategy and Growth, The Dr. Hyman Show
Amber Smith has built her career at the intersection of content, audience, and growth. As Director of Content Strategy and Growth for The Dr. Hyman Show at Hyman Health, she leads the strategy behind how the show reaches and expands its audience.
Prior to this, Amber led audience development at iHeartMedia and held growth and partnership roles at Slate Magazine, Pandora, and SiriusXM. With experience across major audio platforms and publishers, she brings a practical, execution-focused approach to scaling content, ensuring strong ideas are supported by equally strong strategy.
16. Kerri Hoffman, CEO, PRX
Kerri Hoffman is the CEO of PRX, where she has helped transform the organization into a driving force in independent audio. During her tenure, PRX has grown its reach and impact, supporting acclaimed projects and networks like Radiotopia, Ear Hustle, The Moth Radio Hour, and Reveal. She also played a key role in leading the merger between PRX and Public Radio International, strengthening the infrastructure behind public media and podcasting.
Beyond scaling PRX, Kerri has championed innovation across the industry. She helped launch Matter Ventures and co-founded RadioPublic, creating new pathways for creators and entrepreneurs in audio.
17. Arielle Nissenblatt, Director of Community and Content at Pinwheel by Audily and Founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective
As Director of Community and Content at Pinwheel by Audily, Arielle helps brands shape podcast and video strategies that actually connect with audiences and drive results. She’s also the founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, a long-running, trusted newsletter curating podcast recommendations from listeners around the world.
Since 2017, Arielle has worked across nearly every side of the audio business — from producing shows and leading marketing and PR strategies to building engaged creative communities and serving on the board of The Podcast Academy. Her work is grounded in a clear focus: helping podcasts grow in ways that are thoughtful, audience-first, and built to last.
18. Kattie Laur, Principal & Executive Producer, Pod The North
Kattie Laur is a leading voice in Canadian podcasting, with over a decade of experience producing, developing, and growing shows across the country. She’s the Principal and Executive Producer of Pod The North, a newsletter and resource hub that connects, informs, and amplifies the Canadian podcasting ecosystem.
She is a passionate advocate for a sustainable, equitable, and world-class podcast industry in Canada, and supports creators through production, audience growth, and coaching, helping shows reach their full potential.
19. Lillian Xu, VP, Business Podcast, Vox Media
Lillian Xu is the Vice President of Podcast Business at Vox Media, where she oversees strategy, partnerships, and monetization across the company’s growing podcast portfolio. She joined Vox in 2023 as Executive Director of Podcast Business and quickly advanced to lead business operations for some of the network’s most prominent audio brands.
Before Vox, Lillian held strategy and business development roles at New York Public Radio, driving growth, partnerships, and revenue initiatives for WNYC, WNYC Studios, WQXR, Gothamist, and The Greene Space.
20. Amber Mac, President, AmberMac Media
Amber Mac is President of AmberMac Media, an award-winning digital content and podcast development agency, and the host of The AmberMac Show on SiriusXM. She is an accomplished podcaster and a bestselling author, with nearly two decades of experience producing and amplifying content at the intersection of technology, business, and culture.
Amber has keynoted over 500 events globally and moderated sessions with leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former FBI Director James Comey, Tony Robbins, and astronaut Chris Hadfield. Her work has earned multiple podcast awards, including Best Branded Series for This Is Mining and Best Technology Series for The AI Effect. Recognized for her leadership in tech and media, Amber has been named a DMZ Women of the Year and a Bay Street Bull Woman of the Year.
21. Jeanine Wright, Board Member, Quill and CoHost
Jeanine Wright is a seasoned board member, advisor, and executive with deep experience scaling organizations from start-ups to multi-hundred-million-dollar subsidiaries of public companies. She co-founded and guided Simplecast, one of the earliest podcast infrastructure companies, through to its acquisition by SiriusXM.
Jeanine was COO at Wondery, Amazon’s podcast division, where she oversaw sales, licensing, strategy, and global operations, tripling ad revenue in a single year. Today, she is Co-Founder and CEO of Inception Point AI, where she leads a team creating AI-generated personalities and content.
22. Christina Barsi, Founder, Boss-Goddess
Christina Barsi is the Founder of Boss-Goddess, an agency dedicated to supporting women-led businesses through podcast development, production, and intuitive leadership coaching. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in helping founders and creatives align with their authenticity to achieve fulfilling success, blending strategic guidance with soulful, human-centered approaches.
With nearly a decade of experience producing branded and independent podcasts, Christina has worked with women entrepreneurs, enterprise brands, and emerging creators to amplify voices, build engaged communities, and transform setbacks into opportunities.
23. Molly Ruland, Founder and CEO, Heartcast Media
Molly Ruland is the Founder and CEO of Heartcast Media, a full-service podcast production studio based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. With over 25 years in multimedia, she produces podcasts that drive revenue, build strategic relationships, and amplify authentic voices.
Molly’s expertise spans podcast strategy, production, booking, web development, and content growth. She has worked with a diverse range of clients, from political leaders and enterprise brands to independent creators, helping them leverage podcasts as powerful platforms for storytelling, influence, and social impact.
24. Steph Colbourn, CEO, editaudio
Steph Colbourn is the CEO and Founder of editaudio, an award-winning podcast production company operating across the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Their work has been featured by Forbes, Apple, Spotify, and iHeart, and they’ve produced podcasts for notable clients including Google News, Harper’s Bazaar, GitHub, and Stack Overflow. Steph is passionate about building impactful stories, supporting diverse talent, and producing content that resonates.
25. Carli van Heerden, Founder and CEO, We Edit Podcasts
Carli is the Founder and CEO of We Edit Podcasts, a company she launched in February 2015 to make podcast production faster and more efficient. After experiencing firsthand the time-consuming process of producing her husband’s podcast, she set out to create a solution that would free creators to focus on what truly matters: their content and their audience.
Over the years, she has built a diverse client roster, including Fortune 100 companies, NGOs, and high-profile personalities, streamlining production and elevating their storytelling.
26. Karen Burgess, Managing Editor of Podcasting and Digital Audio, CBC News
Karen Burgess is a journalist and podcast executive with a passion for stories that matter. She currently serves as Managing Editor of Podcasting and Digital Audio at CBC News, where she leads the creation of compelling audio content that informs and engages audiences across Canada.
Prior to joining CBC, Karen spent over five years at Pacific Content, where she held multiple leadership roles, including Executive Producer and Executive for Productions, People, and Culture. During her tenure, she focused on building exceptional teams and producing high-quality podcasts that resonated with listeners globally.
27. Heather Osgood, Founder & CEO, True Native Media
Heather Osgood is the Founder and CEO of True Native Media, a podcast representation agency dedicated to helping creators and brands connect through audio. With extensive experience in radio advertising and entrepreneurship, Heather has successfully built and run multiple businesses, including Simply Clear Marketing and The Podcast Broker.
Since launching True Native Media in 2016, she has focused on helping podcasters and advertisers grow revenue by delivering tailored campaigns, strategic guidance, and client-focused solutions. Her approach blends innovative creativity, flexible strategies, and hands-on support.
.png)
28 + 29. Tina Nole and Joelle Nole, Co-Founders, Larj Media
Tina and Joelle Nole are the co-founders of Larj Media, a podcast-first creative agency based in Seattle that helps impact-driven organizations and brands tell their most important stories. With a focus on social justice, equity, climate action, democracy, and progressive policy, Larj Media partners with philanthropic institutions, NGOs, government entities, universities, B Corps, and mission-driven brands to create podcasts that fuel omnichannel strategies and inspire action.
Tina brings a deep curiosity and journalistic rigor to the work, drawing on years of experience producing thoughtful, award-winning podcasts that explore complex topics, from political systems abroad to customer experience innovation. Joelle complements this with expertise in content strategy, audio/video production, and social media amplification, ensuring that each podcast not only engages audiences but also drives measurable impact.
30. Lauren Passell, Founder, Tink Media
Lauren Passell is the founder and CEO of Tink Media, a company dedicated to helping podcasters grow their audience and maximize impact. She is also the creator of Podcast the Newsletter and Podcast Marketing Magic.
A recognized expert in podcast marketing, Lauren has shared her knowledge at conferences including SXSW, Podcast Movement, Podfest, London Podcast Festival, and The Podcast Show. She has also taught podcasting courses at institutions such as Harvard and Columbia, helping students and professionals alike develop effective strategies for content creation and audience growth.
31. Odile Beniflah, Head of US, Ausha
Odile Beniflah helps podcasts and audio-first companies grow globally, guiding shows and media startups to expand from the U.S. to international audiences and vice versa. With over 20 years in tech and community building, including roles at Meetup and Duolingo, she specializes in creating authentic, engaged communities both online and in person.
As Head of US at Ausha, Odile works with creators, branded podcasts, and audio platforms to maximize audience growth, improve engagement, and build community-led strategies that amplify impact.
32. Julie Adam, President & CEO, Universal Music Canada
Currently the President & CEO of Universal Music Canada, Julie’s career has spanned over two decades in media, including leadership in radio, television, and podcasting at Rogers Sports & Media. She is a recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has been honored with awards such as the Rosalie Award from Radio Trailblazers and the Diversity Champion Award from Women in Communications and Technology.
Julie also serves as Chair of CARAS, guiding The JUNO Awards, MusiCounts, and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. She is the author of Imperfectly Kind, a leadership book on kindness as a superpower in guiding creative teams.
33. Brittany Clevenger, Senior Director of Growth Marketing, BetterHelp
Brittany Clevenger is a recognized leader in podcast marketing, specializing in helping brands tell meaningful stories while driving measurable growth. As Senior Director of Growth Marketing at BetterHelp, she manages one of the largest podcast advertising budgets globally, leveraging podcasts, streaming, and radio to make mental health resources more accessible to millions.
34. Rachel Elsts Downey, Founder and CEO, Share Your Genius
Rachel Elsts Downey helps B2B brands transform podcasts into strategic content engines that drive measurable business outcomes. As Founder & CEO of Share Your Genius, she leads companies through The Genius Way™, a framework designed to start with a podcast and scale into a sustainable system that fuels brand growth, demand generation, and audience engagement.
With over eight years of experience, Rachel specializes in podcast strategy, development, storytelling, and distribution, helping brands amplify their expertise, build trust, and turn thought leadership into tangible business results. Her philosophy: it’s never just a podcast™ — it’s connection, strategy, and impact. Every episode is an opportunity to spark conversations, deepen audience trust, and grow your brand at scale.
.png)
35. Juleyka Lantigua, CEO and Founder, LWC Studios
Juleyka Lantigua is the CEO and Founder of LWC Studios, a Peabody Award–nominated audio and film studio and winner of the Third Coast “Director’s Prize,” often called the Oscars of audio. A Fulbright Scholar and Tory Burch Fellow, Juleyka holds a Master’s in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing.
Juleyka has served on the Board of Governors of The Podcast Academy and Latino Media Network, and currently sits on the Tory Burch Foundation President’s Advisory Council and the Board of Directors for TechBridge Girls. Through her work, she focuses on erasing the margins in storytelling, creating impactful audio and film that amplifies underrepresented voices.
36. Kelli Hurley, VP, Head of Content and Podcast Partnership Sales, SiriusXM
At SiriusXM, Kelli leads the charge in content and podcast partnership sales, connecting top-tier creators, brands, and advertisers. She’s passionate about elevating diverse voices, expanding monetization opportunities, and ensuring creators thrive across audio and emerging media platforms. Her work emphasizes human connection, collaboration, and strategy, making a measurable impact for both creators and clients.
Kelli’s career spans over a decade of digital media leadership, including roles at Westwood One, where she oversaw digital sales, content acquisition, and podcast growth, blending creativity with operational excellence to consistently exceed goals.
37. Rockie Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer, SoundStack
Rockie Thomas is a digital business and streaming media expert with over 25 years of experience in media, advertising, and podcasting technology. At SoundStack, Rockie drives strategy and innovation, leveraging a deep background in digital audio, ad tech, and content monetization. From launching new audio products to optimizing 360-degree media programs, she’s focused on building scalable solutions that empower creators, publishers, and advertisers.
38. Jessica Kupferman, Co-Founder & Creative Director, She Podcasts
Jessica Kupferman is a writer, brand designer, speaker, and corporate comic with over a decade of experience in podcasting, branding, and sponsorship strategy. She is the co-founder of She Podcasts, the largest global community for women and non-binary podcasters, and the creator of She Podcasts LIVE!, the first conference dedicated to women in podcasting, which draws thousands of attendees and major brand sponsors.
She also founded j/k media agency, one of the first agencies focused on independent podcasters, helping creators secure partnerships with top-tier brands including Spotify, iHeartRadio, Shure, and Sennheiser.
39. Grace Kane, Director, Business Development, Podcasts
- Simplecast/Adswizz, SiriusXM
Grace Kane is the Director of Business Development for Podcasts at AdsWizz/Simplecast, a SiriusXM company, where she leads initiatives to grow partnerships and expand podcast monetization opportunities. She has over a decade of experience driving revenue growth, developing strategic partnerships, and guiding product strategies across media and streaming platforms.
Prior to joining SiriusXM, Grace held leadership roles at NBCUniversal Media, where she led sales and partnerships for NBC News’ educational streaming subscription and production business.
40. Julia Kelly, Sr. Account Executive, Audiochuck
Julia Kelly is a Senior Account Executive at Audiochuck, bringing extensive experience in podcast sales, brand partnerships, and ad strategy. She specializes in connecting creators, brands, and audiences to build meaningful collaborations and drive business growth.
Previously, Julia held senior roles at Wondery, an Amazon company, where she led ad sales and brand partnerships for nearly eight years. She played a key role in launching and scaling major podcast initiatives, securing high-profile partnerships, and expanding market reach.
Happy International Women’s Day!
International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate not just the voices we hear, but the decision-makers behind the scenes who make the industry run. These leaders are mentoring teams, guiding company culture, and opening doors for the next generation of women in audio.
Their impact is tangible: stronger teams, smarter strategies, and more opportunities for innovation. Recognizing their work helps us see the full picture of how audio grows, not just in content, but in leadership and influence.
If you’re interested in staying in the loop on all things audio, subscribe to our women-run, bi-weekly newsletter, Tuned In.
.webp)
