Stephanie Rivera
Stephanie Rivera is an accomplished Account Executive at Meruelo Media with nearly a decade of experience in the media and broadcasting industry. Her career began in 2016 as an intern at Power 106 in Los Angeles, where her passion for media quickly evolved into a full-time career. Through dedication and persistence, she advanced from receptionist to sales and traffic assistant, gaining valuable behind-the-scenes insight into both radio and television production. Today, she manages and executes strategic advertising campaigns across major platforms including Power 106, KDAY 93.5, KLOS 95.5, and CALI 93.9, helping brands effectively connect with their audiences.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Spanish Language Journalism from California State University, Northridge, along with a Master’s degree in Communication from Arizona State University. Although her academic background is rooted in journalism, she discovered a strong passion for sales and media strategy, where she thrives in building client relationships and developing impactful campaigns. Her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish further enhances her ability to connect with diverse markets and deliver tailored solutions.
Known for her strong work ethic and client-first mindset, Stephanie is deeply committed to ensuring her clients’ success. She oversees campaigns from concept to execution, often going above and beyond to ensure every detail is aligned and every placement runs seamlessly. Whether managing deadlines, coordinating with on-air teams, or responding to client needs around the clock, she takes pride in seeing her work come to life on air. Stephanie’s journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow through innovative media strategies.
• California State University Northridge, BA in Broadcast Journalism with Minor in Spanish Language Journalism
• Arizona State University, Master's in Communication
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my journey and the growth I've experienced throughout my career. I'm originally from El Salvador, and I came to California to pursue my education in journalism and broadcasting. Even though I went to school for journalism, I ended up discovering a passion for sales and the behind-the-scenes work in media. I've been fortunate to have amazing mentorship, especially from our VP of Sales, who is a woman I really look up to. When I was starting out, she told me to learn everything I could and that she was there to guide and teach me, but she'd let me take the lead from there. That guidance really helped me grow. I think what's made the biggest difference is that I genuinely love what I do. Being able to hear the commercials I put together on air while I'm driving and knowing that my clients are having success in their business - that's a really great feeling. Over my 10 years in this industry, all within the same company, I've been able to move up from intern to receptionist to assistant to account executive, and each step has taught me so much about the media industry and what it takes to make everything happen behind the scenes.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received came from my VP of Sales when I was just starting out in my account executive role. She told me to learn everything that I can, and that she was there to guide me and teach me, but she was going to let me take the lead from there. That advice really empowered me to take ownership of my growth and development. It taught me that having a mentor who believes in you and gives you the space to learn and lead is invaluable, and it's shaped how I approach my career - always with a mindset of continuous learning and taking initiative.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the media industry is to never stop learning and to stay open to opportunities, even if they're different from what you originally planned. I went to school for journalism because I wanted to be a reporter, but I ended up in sales and discovered that I really love it. Don't be afraid to explore different roles within your field - you might find your passion in an unexpected place. Also, seek out mentors, especially other women in leadership positions. Having my VP of Sales, a woman, to look up to has been incredibly valuable. She believed in me and gave me the guidance and space to grow. And finally, be prepared to work hard and stay committed. In this industry, you're working around the clock, even on weekends sometimes, but if you love what you do, it's worth it. The feeling of hearing your work come to life and knowing you're helping your clients succeed makes all the effort worthwhile.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in the media industry right now is how much everything is changing. The industry is evolving rapidly, and you really have to stay on top of it all. As an account executive, I've learned that you get to see things from a different perspective, especially in media. When I was an assistant, I only saw a small part of it, but once I switched over to account executive and started working on brand partnerships, I realized how much the industry is transforming. You have to continuously adapt and learn about the media landscape and what really goes behind the scenes to make something happen. Without sales, there's really no radio - we're the ones putting those commercials on air, organizing events, and taking our talent out to events. So the opportunity is in understanding that broader picture and being able to evolve with the industry. It's about staying flexible, networking constantly, and working around the clock with your clients to strengthen your work ethic and maintain those relationships.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are continuous learning, building meaningful relationships, and staying connected to my roots. In my work, I believe in always having a mindset of learning and growth - I'm still young, in my early 30s, and even though I've been in this industry since I finished college, I feel like there's still so much more to learn. I love expanding my network and meeting new people, especially learning from other women in business about how they started and where they are now. That's always really inspiring to me. Building strong relationships with my clients is also crucial - I work around the clock to make sure they're successful, and seeing their businesses thrive because of the work I do is incredibly fulfilling. In my personal life, I value staying connected to where I came from. I love traveling back home to El Salvador to spend time with my parents. It helps me reflect on my journey - where I came from and how much I've accomplished. That reflection keeps me grounded. I also value balance and taking time for myself. After all the events and concerts I attend for work, I appreciate my alone time and spending quality time with my loved ones. And being outdoors, especially at the beach, which is my happy place, helps me recharge.