93XRT has turned to a Chicago native to guide one of the city’s most iconic radio brands into its next chapter. The Audacy station announced that Michelle Rutkowski has been named Brand Manager, effective October 13.
Rutkowski, who succeeds Laura Duncan, will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the station. Duncan, who has led the station since 2020, will depart November 3.
In announcing the move, Audacy Chicago Senior Vice President and Market Manager Kevin Cassidy praised both women for their work.
“We are excited to welcome Michelle to the WXRT family,” Cassidy said. “Her deep knowledge of the format, along with the strength of her relationships across the region were the drivers of her consistent success in Milwaukee. We look forward to her replicating that performance on behalf of WXRT. I would also like to recognize the immense contribution that Laura Duncan made during her tenure. She hands Michelle the keys to a finely tuned muscle car.”
For Rutkowski, the position marks both a career milestone and a homecoming.
“This iconic station has influenced me so much as a listener and shaped my deep love of music, and as a programmer who strives for the level of excellence that WXRT has delivered for decades,” she said. “It’s an absolutely euphoric experience to be welcomed back to my beloved hometown to continue the legacies of those who made WXRT the revered Chicago treasure that it is. I would like to thank Jeff Sottolano, Dave Richards and Kevin Cassidy for the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Rutkowski arrives with more than 20 years of radio experience. She began her career in Chicago at WKQX and WLUP before heading north to Milwaukee in 2006, where she joined WLUM. She quickly moved from nighttime personality to Music Director and Programmer, before expanding her responsibilities in 2016 to oversee multiple stations, including WLDB and FONZ.
Most recently, Rutkowski served as Vice President of Programming and Operations for Milwaukee Radio Alliance. In that role, she oversaw several formats and was instrumental in the 2024 launch of Froggy, a new country outlet highlighting emerging artists.
Her track record in Milwaukee, combined with her Chicago roots, made her a strong candidate to succeed Duncan at WXRT. The station has long been a cornerstone of the city’s alternative and rock identity, and Rutkowski now steps into a role that blends heritage with innovation.
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