Leadership Music Announces Class Of 2023
Leadership Music has announced the 46 members who have been selected for its Class of 2023, which begins in October.
Founded in 1989 by a dozen music industry executives, Leadership Music has graduated more than 1,300 leaders. The annual program is designed to create a forum for music industry leaders to learn about other areas within the music business, explore issues currently affecting the industry, and enjoy unique experiences while building lasting relationships with classmates.
“Being selected for Leadership Music is a life-changing experience,” shares LM President and Class of 2014 alumnus David Kells, Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “The 46 leaders who make up the Class of 2023 are embarking on one of the most significant journeys of their career. I know I speak on behalf of everyone who served on the committee when I say that choosing the class from nearly 300 qualified candidates is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. We devote an enormous amount of time, thought and deliberation to selecting the next ‘best class ever.’”
“The focus of the committee is on assembling a class that is uniquely talented and diverse in every way—gender, ethnicity, genre of music, segment of the music industry and more,” adds Class of 2007 alum Diane Pearson, Past President of LM and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “The members of the Selection Committee feel a great sense of pride in the leaders chosen for this program year, who are exceptional in every way. We look forward to watching them develop as a cohesive unit as the Leadership Music Class of 2023.”
Participants of this year’s 33rd Leadership Music class will attend an orientation, alumni welcome reception, and a two-day Opening Retreat in October, followed by six all-day sessions once a month, culminating in May with graduation at a two-day Closing Retreat.
Class of 2023 Leadership Music Members:
Kris Ahrend, CEO, Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
Ashley Alexander, Chief Marketing Officer, Girlilla Marketing
Tony Alexander, Co-Founder/President/Managing Director, Made in Memphis Entertainment (Memphis)
Scott Bailey, President, Opry Entertainment Group
Wade Asher, Promoter/GM, Chippewa Valley Music Festivals (Cadott, WI)
Brian Bauer, President, Bauer Entertainment Marketing
Emily Cohen Belote, Principal Music Curator, Amazon Music
Stacy Blythe, SVP Promotion, Big Loud
Robert Carlton, SVP Development, SMACKSongs
John Clore, VP Marketing, Communication and Content, Curb Records
Rose Cook, SVP Licensing Operations, SESAC Rights Management
Michael Darpino, Senior Director Customer Services, SoundExchange (Alexandria, VA)
Eleonore Denig, Violinist/Arranger
Kenneth Doroshow, Chief Legal Officer, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (Washington, DC)
Steve Eggart, Business Manager, Wiles + Taylor & Company PC
Andrew Farwell, VP, Outback Presents
Joseph Fishman, Professor, Vanderbilt University
Sam Forbert, Agent, CAA
Randall Foster, Chief Creative Officer, Symphonic
Shan Foster, Executive Director, AMEND Together
Steve Gaches, Worldwide Head of Music Business and Legal Affairs, WME
Rebekah Gordon, VP Publishing, Black River Publishing
Ben Hall, Senior Director of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Michael Harris, EVP/COO, Universal Music Group Nashville
Jeffrey Hasson, Co-Head of Nashville Office, United Talent Agency
Ben Hutto, Director of Brands and Partnerships, Triple 8 Management
Gena Johnson, Producer/Engineer/Mixer, Key of G Productions
Chris Joslin, Executive Director, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Owensboro, KY)
Brian Loschiavo, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Riverside Entertainment
Ritz McCain, Senior Editor, Spotify (Phoenix, AZ)
Haley McCollister, VP Touring/GM of MTG Nashville, Messina Touring Group
Regina McCrary, Artist/Songwriter/Producer/Actress/Author/Minister, McCrary Sisters
Billy Montana, Songwriter, Curb/Word Publishing
Austin Neal, Owner, The Neal Agency
John Riley, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Copyright Office (Washington, DC)
Erica Rosa, VP Royalties and Contract Compliance, FBMM Entertainment Business Management (Los Angeles)
Jennifer Rosen, Head of Music Publishing Partnerships, YouTube (Wayne, NJ)
Sarah Rosenbaum, Counsel, Greenberg Traurig (Los Angeles)
Patrick Sabatini, SVP Legal and Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville
Sina Seger, VP Accounts, FlyteVu Agency
Shannon Sorensen, VP Legal and Business Affairs, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) (Washington, DC)
Kelly Striewski, SVP Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, CMA
Trae Vedder, Talent Buyer, Artist Collaborations and Festival Development, Sixthman (Atlanta)
Tracie Verlinde, VP Creative, BMI (Los Angeles)
Gebre Waddell, CEO, Sound Credit (Memphis)
Russell Ziecker, EVP/Global Head of Television Music, Lionsgate (Studio)/Starz (Network)
