Nancy Brown Dacko on Trailblazers' transformation
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Nancy Brown-Dacko, Chair of Trailblazers, discusses the organization's transformative evolution from a radio-focused advocacy group to a comprehensive platform supporting women across all media platforms—television, podcasting, music, and digital. She reflects on her four-decade career in media, from early roles at CFGM and Q107 to pioneering multi-platform initiatives at Torstar and launching a successful consulting practice. The episode highlights Trailblazers' strategic pivot: rebranding the Rosalie Award into the Trailblazer Honours Award, launching the NextGen Trailblazer Awards to recognize emerging female leaders, and shifting the annual reception into a mentorship-focused networking event. Nancy emphasizes the importance of confidence, mentorship, and continuous learning in navigating today’s fragmented, AI-driven media landscape. She calls for sustained effort to break down barriers to women’s advancement into C-suite roles, underscoring the need for inclusive leadership pipelines and strong industry support. The episode closes with gratitude to sponsors and an update on expanded funding for the NextGen Awards, now including $1,000 cash prizes from Scotia Women’s Initiative and $1,000 bursaries from Orbit Media.
Trailblazers has evolved from a radio-only organization to an inclusive platform celebrating women across all media platforms.
The Rosalie Award has been rebranded as the Trailblazer Honours Award, selected by a leadership council rather than public nomination.
The NextGen Trailblazer Awards recognize emerging women leaders with up to 10 years in the industry and include a $1,000 cash prize and $1,000 bursary.
The annual reception has been transformed into a mentorship-focused networking event to support the next generation of female media leaders.
Women must continue to push their knowledge, skills, and belief in themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing, digital-first media environment.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Trailblazers' Evolution and Mission
“I think that it's really important for women to keep pushing, to pushing their knowledge, their skill, their belief in themselves.”
Nancy's Media Career Journey
Brown-Dacko shares her 40-year career path, from early radio roles at CFGM and Q107 to leadership at Torstar, founding an infomercial channel, and launching a media consulting business.
Trailblazers' Strategic Pivot
“We realized that if we expanded our horizons to include and be more inclusive to these areas, this would be the time to do it.”
The NextGen Trailblazer Awards
“We're looking for a woman who has shown innovation, creativity in their role, where they have been exceptional in their work.”
Mentorship and Industry Support
The reception has been reimagined as a mentorship opportunity, with senior leaders like Sue Mills and Hillary White guiding the next generation of women in media.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
“I think that it's really important for women to keep pushing, to pushing their knowledge, their skill, their belief in themselves.”
“Stick with it, if you haven't. If you're in the business and you love this business, you have a passion for it. There is a place for women and we need to keep bringing women through.”
Host
Guest
Trailblazers
organization
Nancy Brown-Dacko
person
Connie Thiessen
person
Torstar
organization
Radio Days North America
other
Departure
organization
Canadian Music Week
other
Rosalie Trombley
person
Don Schaefer
person
Stingray
organization
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Nancy Brown Dacko on Trailblazers' transformation” inside PodZeus.
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