CMA Unveils Inaugural Class For Women’s Leadership Academy

The Country Music Association has launched its very own Women’s Leadership Academy, a group coaching experience for 12 of country musics high-performing female leaders.

The 16-week program will include an initial one-on-on coaching session to establish individual goals and set success measures, eight educational sessions as a group, and group coaching sessions twice a month throughout the entirety of the program. The inaugural professional development program officially began last week.

“We feel strongly that as our industry’s top trade organization, we need to be thinking critically and intentionally about leadership pathways of all kinds, but especially in support of our talented women leaders,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “We know that women make up half of our talent pipeline. Through conversations we’ve had, especially those throughout the pandemic, we know it’s more complicated for women to reach leadership positions, whether because of double standards, the second shift, or glass ceilings. Even more, as a result of the pandemic, women are now leaving the workforce at much higher rates than men. Our business as a whole is actively focused on creating a more inclusive future, and this program is our first of several professional development initiatives to do just that.”

The program kicked off last week with a welcome reception hosted at CMA’s Nashville headquarters. Over the course of the next few months, participants will be coached by expert executive coaches, Diane Watson, PCC, and Cory Colton, PCC, BCC. They will also receive further insight surrounding increased self-awareness and how to use it strategically, confidence building and communicating effectively, managing inner criticism to unleash further potential, building a personal brand and networking successfully, as well as creating a better work-life integration by setting boundaries.

While in its inaugural year, the program intends to welcome future classes, allowing for the creation of an alumni network to provide ongoing mentorship and community.

CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy Inaugural Class:
Callie Cunningham Nobel (Red Light Management)
Stevie Escoto (Girlilla Marketing)
Lauren Funk (Endurance Music Group)
Chrissy Hall (Ryman Hospitality Properties)
Kara Jackson (Spirit Music Publishing)
Meredith Jones (CAA)
Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME)
Amanda Mitchell (Farris, Self & Moore, LLC)
Megan Pekar (Loeb & Loeb LLP)
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Warner Chappell Music)
Samantha Thornton (G Major Management)
Kortney Toney (Naxos of America)