LEADERSHIP MUSIC ANNOUNCES 46 INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR THE CLASS OF 2025

NASHVILLE (June 5, 2024) – Leadership Music will welcome 46 industry leaders from around the country into its Class of 2025, which begins in October. Leadership Music, a national program based in Nashville, has graduated more than 1,400 leaders since it was founded in 1989 by 12 noted music industry executives. The annual program is designed to create a forum in which music industry leaders can learn about all segments of the music business, explore current issues affecting the industry, and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences while building lasting relationships with their classmates.

The incoming members of the Class of 2025 are:

1.      Trannie Anderson, Songwriter, Sony Music Publishing

2.      Pouria Assadipour, Co-Founder & CTO, Beatdapp Software (Vancouver, BC)

3.      Kari Barnhart, SVP/Entertainment Relationship Manager, Studio Bank

4.      Gil Beverly, Chief of Business Officer, Academy of Country Music

5.      Brandi Brammer, SVP Global Music Operations, United Talent Agency

6.      Jorge Brea, CEO, Symphonic Distribution, Inc. (Tampa, FL)

7.      Charlene Bryant, SVP Business Development & Strategy, Universal Music Group Nashville

8.      Shannon Casey, SVP Fairs & Festivals, Wasserman Music

9.      Johnny Cloherty, Founder & CEO, Genni/Songfluencer

10.  Margaret Comeaux, SVP Music & Event Production, CMT / Paramount Global

11.  Rose Connelly, SVP Creative & Brand Strategy, Recording Industry Association of America (Washington, DC)

12.  Patch Culbertson, EVP/GM Big Loud Records

13.  Graham Davies, President & CEO, Digital Media Association (Washington, DC)

14.  Marcus Dowling, Country Music Reporter, The Tennessean

15.  Michael Eames, President, PEN Music Group, Inc (Sherman Oaks, CA)

16.  Katie Fagan, Head of A&R, Prescription Songs

17.  Dayna Frank, Owner & CEO, First Avenue Productions/Co-Founder & Board Member, National Independent Venue Association (Minneapolis, MN)

18.  Don Glista, VP of Business / Legal Affairs & Creative Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group

19.  Nicole Gustafson, SVP Government Relations, National Association of Broadcasters (Arlington, VA)

20.  Brooke Hardesty, VP of Interactive Marketing, Warner Music Nashville

21.  Jamie Kent, Founder, Backstage Strategies/The BAM Group

22.  Jill Kopecky, VP Corporate and Private Events, Neste Live! A Live Nation Company

23.  Allison Laughter, VP Streaming, Digital, Marketing, Red Light Management

24.  Betsy Lee, Business Manager, FBMM

25.  Erin McAnally, Executive Director, Songwriters of North America (North Hollywood, CA)

26.  Justin McIntosh, Manager, RM Business, Inc

27.  Mia Jones, Sr. Director Industry Relations & Inclusion, Country Music Association

28.  Chuck Mead, President, Chuck Mead Tours / Grassy Knoll Productions

29.  Amanda Molter, General Counsel, Concord Music Group Inc

30.  Kerry Mustico, SVP Legal & Business Affairs, National Music Publishers’ Association (Cabin John, Maryland)

31.  Roger Alan Nichols, Owner, Bell Tone Recording, Little Ruby Tunes

32.  Marcelo Pennell, Audio Engineer

33.  Muhammad Qasim, Chief Information Officer, SESAC Music Group (Astoria, NYC)

34.  Jenna Rubenstein, Head of Songwriter Relations, YouTube (New York, NY)

35.  Steve Ruwe, Copyright Royalty Judge, Copyright Royalty Board (Falls Church, VA)

36.  Chris Semrau, General Manager, Paycom Center (Edmond, OK)

37.  Molly Shehan, Attorney/Partner, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC

38.  Taylor Shomaker, Owner, SRE Entertainment / Risk Advisor, Martin & Zerfoss

39.  Amy Smith, Chair & Associate Professor of Music Business, Belmont University

40.  Katie Studley, VP Nashville, The Orchard

41.  Jenni Tay, Artist Relations Manager, Amazon Music

42.  Alina Thompson, Associate Director, Strategy & Operations, Artist & Industry Relations, SiriusXM/Pandora

43.  Timothy Trudeau, CEO, Syntax Creative

44.  Ilene Weintraub, CFO, Mechanical Licensing Collective (Port Washington, NY)

45.  Sara Winter, Senior Vice President, Messina Touring Group (Austin, TX)

46.  Tasha Young, Vice President Client Experience, G7 Entertainment Marketing

“The Leadership Music selection committee is dedicated to not only combining an accomplished group of illustrious professionals, but one that accurately reflects the diversity of the industry nationwide, and the class of 2025 is no exception,” said Kelli Haywood, Leadership Music Board President and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “We are so excited to welcome them all this fall!”

“The selection committee is laser-focused and intentional when choosing members of each class,” said Debbie Carroll, Class of 2001 alum, former Leadership Music President, and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “Career history, achievements, leadership capacity, community involvement and more are factors, while we also strive to select a class that is diverse – gender, ethnicity, genre of music, and sector of the music industry are all considerations. We are very proud of the leaders chosen for this program year, the 35th class, and we are looking forward to watching how this class unites as the Leadership Music Class of 2025.”

Incoming participants first attend an orientation, alumni welcome reception, and a two-day Opening Retreat in October, followed by six monthly all-day sessions, ending in May with graduation at a two-day Closing Retreat.

Leadership Music is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization whose mission is to cultivate a forward-thinking community of leaders who impact the creative industry.

Contact:  Margy Holland

Communication & Events

Margy@leadershipmusic.org