Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2021, including Beth McDonald, radio host at KEZ 99.9. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Most Influential Women program, azbigmedia.com is profiling one of the Most Influential Women of 2021 each day leading up to the Most Influential Women of 2021 dinner and reception.

READ ALSO: The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2021

The Most Influential Women for 2021 will be honored at a reception on August 26 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. For sponsorship information, email Amy.Lindsey@azbigmedia.com. For information about the event honoring the Most Influential Women, email Lynette.Carrington@azbigmedia.com or click here.

To buy copies of the Most Influential Women in Arizona issue, click here.

Today’s spotlight: Beth McDonald

Radio host

KEZ 99.9

McDonald was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  She believes that her love of radio was nurtured by her mother who always had the radio on at the breakfast table. During her childhood, her family occasionally vacationed in Phoenix and she knew that this is a place she would love to live. In 1980, she moved here to work in radio for KTAR as a reporter. In 1984 she joined what was to become 99.9 KEZ and in 1990 she partnered with Bill Austin. The Beth and Bill show ran for 20 years until his death in 2010. The show then became Beth and Friends where she still is today. Beth loves wine, food and Notre Dame Football. 

Lesson learned in 2020: “A situation like this is so unusual and rare that when it happened I just realized that while many things were out of my control, I would control the things that I could. It was still possible to laugh and have fun and give people something to look forward to. And I realized that I could help people get through a very frightening time. We were all in it together and we would get through it and realize our strength in dealing with it.”

Source of pride: “There are a couple of things I’m particularly proud of.  One is being one of the first women in the country to host a morning drive radio show. I think what makes me most proud is my longevity in this industry and realizing that people still have an interest in listening.”

Surprising fact: “People might be surprised to know that I cry easily when watching certain television shows, movies and even commercials.  Also, I’m rather shy in public situations. Hard to believe, isn’t it?”