Mary Sandberg Boyle Wins Radio Manager of the Year

The WGN Radio executive receives top honors at the 34th Annual Radio Wayne Awards in New York.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Awards

Gouache-painted illustration of a vintage broadcast microphone and an abstract trophy, evoking professional achievement in the radio industry. — WGN Radio Vice President Mary Sandberg Boyle was named General Manager of the Year at the 34th Annual Radio Wayne Awards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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WGN Radio Vice President and General Manager Mary Sandberg Boyle has been named General Manager of the Year for markets 1-20. The honor was presented during the 34th Annual Radio Wayne Awards ceremony at the Javits Center.

Why it matters

This award recognizes Boyle for her significant leadership contributions at WGN Radio, marking the first time a station representative has received a Radio Wayne Award. Her recognition highlights a career defined by rapid advancement and influence within the broadcast industry.

Boyle is the first woman to serve as Vice President and General Manager in WGN Radio history. She has been included on the list of Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio for five consecutive years.

The players

Mary Sandberg Boyle

She serves as the Vice President and General Manager of WGN Radio and was recently named General Manager of the Year for major markets.

WGN Radio

This Chicago-based radio station provides news, talk, and sports coverage to the local community and surrounding areas.

The details

Boyle, who joined WGN Radio in 2015, previously served as the station's Acting General Manager before moving into her current vice presidential role in 2020. Her tenure at the station has included the launch of programming like The Opening Bell, solidifying her reputation as a prominent manager.

Boyle joined WGN Radio in 2015.
Boyle launched The Opening Bell in 2016.
Boyle was named Acting General Manager in September 2019.
Boyle became Vice President and General Manager in 2020.
Boyle won General Manager of the Year in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The Radio Wayne Awards serve as a barometer for professional excellence within the broadcast industry. Boyle's recognition reflects a broader trend of acknowledging leadership milestones and gender diversity among top-tier radio management.

For Chicago listeners, this award highlights the station's evolving leadership and focus on industry-recognized programming. It underscores the continued influence of local broadcast entities in shaping the national media landscape.

The takeaway

Recognitions like these showcase how consistent management can elevate a local station to a national level of influence. Aspiring media professionals can look to this career trajectory as a model for moving from initial station involvement to top-level executive leadership.