Christine Travaglini didn’t climb the ladder in radio — she built her own rungs. As President of Katz Radio Group — one of the most powerful national spot radio representation firms in the country — Travaglini leads an organization that connects advertisers with radio audiences across hundreds of markets.
Her ascent to the top of the media sales world is a story of relentless drive, sharp instincts, and a genuine passion for the medium.
Travaglini spent decades mastering the art media sales. Rising through the ranks at Katz, she developed a reputation as both a fierce negotiator and a collaborative leader — someone who could close a deal and build a team in the same breath.
Christine Travaglini became President of Katz Radio Group in March 2018. She served as President of Christal Radio, a division inside Katz, since 2008. She later was elevated to the role of President of Katz Partnerships.
Today, Christine Travaglini stands at the helm of an industry institution. Katz Radio Group has more than a dozen regional offices and is partnered with more than 3,000 stations.
In this Q&A with Christine Travaglini, the Katz Radio Group President shares who has inspired her, why she puts an emphasis on mentorship, and why “work/life balance” needs to be reexamined.
Garrett Searight: When did you know that you wanted to be in this business?
Christine Travaglini: From childhood through adulthood, I have always been an avid radio listener– how else would a Long Island native know when the Princeton Ski Sale was on? Upon graduation from college, I was very focused on finding my way into this business. I had some ad sales experience in both high school and college, and my first job after graduation was at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, doing print ad support.
From there, I started sending my resume to every radio local sales manager and general sales manager in the market as I truly believed in the power of the medium for advertisers and I knew it was the place for me to learn and grow. I was so grateful to have earned many interviews which led to my first role at Katz Radio in a sales assistant position.
That role taught me so much about broadcasting and sales, gave me a strong foundation and reinforced how important trust and relationships are in this industry.
GS: Who were some of the people who influenced you throughout your career?
CT: Many people have influenced me at different stages of my career, but a few stand out as especially impactful.
First and foremost, Tucker Flood. Just before I became a new sales manager in 1996, Tucker challenged me—then a senior seller—to think long-term about what I really wanted. He asked a simple but powerful question: did I want to keep selling, or did I want to move into management and one day run a company?
I still wonder: if he hadn’t asked me that at 28, would I have believed it was possible? Tucker mentored and challenged me for the next 20 years, and I’m deeply grateful for both his guidance and our friendship.
As I continued to grow and set new goals for myself, I leaned into mentors and friends like Ginny Hubbard, Kim Guthrie, and Julie Talbott. These women truly shattered glass ceilings and helped pave the way for women in our industry.
As my career progressed at Katz and at the start of the millennium (2000) I had the privilege of working with Mark Gray, when he was President of Katz Radio. Mark has had an incredible impact on my career—he’s trusted me, challenged me, and continually encouraged me to keep learning and growing. I’m very grateful for all the friends and mentors that have impacted my career.
GS: How important is it to you to be a mentor to other future leaders?
CT: Mentorship is deeply important to me—I’ve benefited from it throughout my career and feel a real responsibility to pay it forward, both within Katz and across the broader industry.
At Katz, my door is always open. I genuinely enjoy spending time with interns, new hires, and seasoned professionals alike—talking through goals, sharing perspective, and helping them stretch and grow both personally and professionally.
Beyond Katz, I serve on the AWM Foundation Board, where I have the opportunity to mentor and support the next generation of talent. Through the NAB, I also work with the BEA, engaging with college students—answering questions, offering guidance, and helping them better understand the industry.
And perhaps one of my favorite (and most unexpected) roles is being the “career whisperer” to my daughters’ friends—always happy to make time to help young people navigate those early career decisions with a bit more clarity and confidence.
GS: Many view media and the advertising realm as a male-dominated space. Yet, there are several female CEOs and other executives holding top positions. Why do you think there has been a shift to so many female leaders?
CT: I believe the shift has been driven by both merit and opportunity. As more women consistently delivered strong, meaningful business results, it built confidence—and created more pathways—for women to step into senior roles. Visibility has played a critical role as well. When you can see it, you can more easily envision it for yourself. Equally important is the way women are supporting one another.
At a time when leadership seats felt scarce, it may have been harder to fully champion each other.
Today, I see far more intentional support and sponsorship—and that collective lift has helped accelerate real, positive change.
GS: What’s the best part of your job?
CT: The best part of my job is the opportunity to build a culture grounded in trust and strong relationships—while attracting, developing, and retaining great talent.
I love being surrounded by people who are genuinely passionate about the industry and committed to raising the bar together.
GS: What would you say to aspiring female leaders in the media and advertising space?
CT: Stay curious and keep learning. Growth tends to follow when you consistently look for ways to add value. Seek out opportunities to make an impact. Raise your hand for new challenges. Build relationships with people who will both support you and push you further.
And as you advance, make it a priority to mentor someone coming up behind you. Helping others find their footing not only strengthens the industry, it also keeps you grounded in what matters most.
GS: Anything else you’d like to include or share that I didn’t ask?
CT: One question that often comes up — especially for women — is around family and “balance.” And I think the framing is off. It assumes there’s a constant tradeoff. As if you have to choose between being committed to your career or your family. In reality, it’s not that black and white.
What matters more is how you define success for yourself in different seasons, being intentional with your time, and building a support system that allows you to show up where it matters most.
There will be times when one needs more attention than the other—and that’s ok. It’s not about perfect “balance,” it’s about alignment, priorities, and giving yourself the flexibility and grace to navigate both.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
