Stephanie Theisen ’04, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Leighton Broadcasting.
Stephanie Theisen ’04 has spent nearly two decades working within the same company, climbing the ranks in Central Minnesota at one of the top broadcasting companies in the state.
In 2020, she will be in charge of development of revenue and top-line growth for Leighton Broadcasting, which consists of 26 radio stations in seven different markets as well as an events and digital division.
The current role is a result of a recent promotion Theisen received to Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Leighton Broadcasting, another promotion she has received while seeing her role within the company continue to grow. She will remain in her position of General Sales Manager for the St. Cloud market through 2020.
“We want to continue the growth and expansion of our signature events at Leighton Broadcasting and that’s one area of growth that I will continue to oversee in my position. We will continue to do outreach and work with business owners to help them achieve their marketing plans,” she said. “Our digital division will see tremendous growth in 2020 as well. Broadcast has and will continue to grow.”
Before her successes and career milestones were able to take place, Theisen’s introduction to her career began in the hallways at St. Cloud State University.
Stephanie Theisen ’04, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Leighton Broadcasting.
SCSU igniting a unique journey
During her final year at St. Cloud State in 2004 before Theisen graduated with a major in marketing and a minor in mass communications, her interest in what she would like to do outside of school began when she spotted a bulletin board in the hallways of the Herberger Business School.
On that bulletin board, Theisen spotted a flier at KCLD for a position the company was hiring for in its promotions department. When she decided to call KCLD and apply, she found that the position had already been filled.
KCLD, however, did have an opening for a sales internship within the company and she decided that would be a great way to round out her education before officially entering the workforce.
She ended up getting hired as a sales intern. From that point on, Theisen has remained at the same company for over 15 years.
“After that internship, I took a full-time job as an account executive right after graduation and was in that role for 10 years. Then I went on to become the general sales manager, where I was in charge of overseeing multiple avenues of revenue in broadcast, digital and events efforts,” Theisen said. “That ultimately led me to getting a promotion in the events area and working in corporate marketing as well in 2018. Now in 2020, I’m the VP of sales and marketing.”
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“I fully intended on getting the internship and leaving Leighton Broadcasting, but instead I fell in love with the energy in the building and began to apply what I was learning at SCSU into what I was doing.” Theisen continued. “There are great opportunities for careers here in St. Cloud. I recognize that it’s rare to have been a part of a company this long, especially at my age. However, this company and this industry is continuously evolving and to be a part of the expansion, the journey and to be in broadcast radio is incredible.”
Working with SCSU and St. Cloud community
Prior to attending St. Cloud State, Theisen grew up in nearby Milaca. The proximity of the University to her hometown mixed with her eagerness to obtain a good degree were a few reasons why Theisen made the move to St. Cloud.
Even though she is no longer at St. Cloud State, Theisen has continued to work with SCSU students while remaining in the community she has grown to call home.
“It’s great to be able to continue to remain in this community. It demonstrates that you don’t have to leave to seek opportunities. I love touting that I am a grad from St. Cloud State University and that I found an amazing career here in St. Cloud,” Theisen said. “I have been able to remain accessible to the needs of my family, who remains in my hometown, plus I get to pursue my professional dreams. I get the best of both worlds.”
In her time at Leighton Broadcasting, Theisen has played a role in helping hire several employees and interns to join the company, including many St. Cloud State graduates in various roles.
“With me initially being an intern, it has helped me in connecting with new hires and new talent. I really enjoy hiring sales interns and telling them that I was once an intern as well,” she said. “I developed several leadership skills while at St. Cloud State and now use them to motivate others to find their careers and pathways through my position at Leighton.”
While she continues to climb the ranks at Leighton Broadcasting, Theisen is always looking for ways to give back and help others who might be looking for the same sign or flier that ignited her successful journey years ago in the hallways at St. Cloud State.
“We have hired several St. Cloud State graduates as account executives, directors of the events division and more. I really believe the programs at the business school help develop and build great thinkers and leaders in the workplace,” Theisen said. “Many of the most impressive employees I have hired are St. Cloud State graduates. We have incredible programs at St. Cloud State.”
