The general manager of the UW-Madison student radio station, Kelsey Brannan, is the WBA Young Professional of the Month for the month of November.
The WBA Young Professional of the Month is a nominee for the WBA Young Professional of the Year Award. The award seeks to recognize young broadcasters who have made a significant impact on their stations and communities. A subcommittee of the WBA Board of Directors will select the Young Professional of the Year, who will be recognized at the 2025 WBA Summer Conference on June 18 in La Crosse.
Kelsey was nominated by the UW-Madison James E. Burgess Chair in Journalism Ethics, Katy Culver, who wrote of Kelsey, “Kelsey’s stewardship at WSUM epitomizes excellence in leadership, task effectiveness and relational skills. Her exceptional organizational skills and work ethic navigated WSUM through difficult circumstances, producing a string of impressive accomplishments. She is a dedicated mentor along WSUM students’ pathways through the UW and out into the professional world.”
“Kelsey goes beyond the call of duty by delivering guest lectures on interviewing, media production, and the radio industry to UW courses,” Culver also wrote. “She also manages WSUM educational programs that provide broadcasting experiences to develop the communication and technology skills of K-12 students.”
Brannan is also a member of the WBA Education Committee and helps organize student roundtables at the Student Forum at Lambeau Field.
Nominate a YP of the Month here.
Here’s more about Kelsey:
Company: WSUM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Position: Director of Student Radio
Years at station: Seven (Three as Director of Student Radio, Four as a UW-Madison student back in the day)
Started in broadcasting (year): 2011
- How did you get into broadcasting?
I’m proud to have come full circle to now lead the station that gave me my start in radio. I joined WSUM when I was a student at UW-Madison in hopes of finding a sense of community on a big campus. The experience of hosting radio shows and serving as the station’s program director was so transformative that I ended up changing my career path to pursue my love of broadcasting. After graduating, I went on to hold leadership positions at The Current from Minnesota Public Radio and KEXP in Seattle. I’ve held a few “dream jobs” over the years, but the best one yet is to serve as Director of Student Radio at UW-Madison. I love being in an exciting college radio environment and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by students who are so passionate about their work.
- How do you view the role of young professionals in broadcasting?
At the risk of evoking a Whitney Houston-style ballad, I do believe that young professionals are the future of our industry. The field of broadcasting is constantly in flux with new technologies, content platforms, listener trends, and business models. Those willing to embrace change are the ones poised to become much-needed thought leaders in the industry. Those able to center values such as diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work are well-positioned to shepherd positive change. I feel energized when I can connect and collaborate with other young professionals who share my passion for being a force for good and growth within the broadcasting industry.
- What advice would you give to other young broadcasters?
My students would say that the advice I give most often is “save your work!” However, the best advice I can offer is to take care of yourself. Maintaining a good work-life balance is essential. Many broadcasters pay a hefty passion tax and feel the weight of the responsibility to inform, educate, and entertain the public. Being able to answer this call in a meaningful and ongoing way requires a sustainable approach to your work. Make sure your basic human needs are met, even through the long hours. Take time away to fill your cup amongst loved ones. Find joy in hobbies and recreation outside of work. The ability to show up as your whole, grounded self in the workplace will shine through and elevate your work.
- What does the future of broadcasting look like to you?
To me, it is imperative that the future of broadcasting look – and truly be – diverse. Broadcasters need to prioritize amplifying voices, experiences, and stories from every corner of their community and create opportunities to showcase such content on a variety of platforms. The power of broadcasting is based in community, and we need that now more than ever.
