ACM LEVel Up Program Names 2024 Cohort

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Alexes Aiken, Jackie Ebnet, Haley Fairman, Kenyon Glenn and David Hawkins; (L-R, bottom row): Lacey Hayes, Gator Pizer, Nathan Pyle, Lizzy Stone and Bryan Webb

A new cohort has been selected for the Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program. The new members were announced alongside a celebration of the inaugural 2022 cohort’s completion of the Nashville-based two-year professional development program.

Designed to elevate and drive the next generation of rising leaders in the industry, the ACM LEVel Up Rising Leaders curriculum was created to empower participants to play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of the country music industry into new audiences that transcend demographics and geography.

Pictured (L-R, back row): ACM DEI Task Force Chair Shannon Sanders; Haley Fairman; David Hawkins; Gator Pizer; Bryan Webb; ACM CEO Damon Whiteside; Former ACM Board Chair Chuck Aly; (L-R, front row): ACM Manager of Programming & Community Engagement Kortney Toney; Alexes Aiken; Kenyon Glenn; Jackie Ebnet; Lacey Hayes; Nathan Pyle. Not pictured: Lizzy Stone. Photo: John Jo for the Academy of Country Music

Funded entirely by the ACM, the program is at no cost to participants. The first year is spent learning from leaders across the industry as well as collaborating as a cohort to develop a proposed plan to expand country music’s reach. The second year sees the class implement their plan, working intentionally to shape the future and move the industry forward.

The inaugural 2022 cohort worked together to create an undergraduate series for college students across Nashville focused on highlighting various sectors of the music business and diving into behind-the-scenes education beyond textbooks to prepare them for the music industry. The 2022 cohort collaborated with the Academy and Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to ideate and develop the initiative that became OnRamp, a guaranteed income program for young Black members of the Nashville music community, including artists and industry professionals.

The 2022 cohort also helped bring to life the ACM Lift Every Voice Award, which celebrates an individual in the industry who has played a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the country genre. The inaugural award was presented to Breland at the 2023 ACM Honors show in August.

“I celebrate the commitment of these individuals in leading the evolution of Nashville’s country music industry, confident that with the LEVel Up program’s support, they will achieve remarkable feats,” states Shannon Sanders, Chair of the ACM DEI Task Force. “The 2022 cohort has set a high bar, and the 2023 cohort is well-positioned to effect substantial change in 2024. The latest LEVel Up members are at the forefront of this transformation, and I am eager to witness the enduring contributions they, and future participants, will make in the coming years.”

ACM LEVel Up, 2024 Cohort, revealed in December 2023:
Alexes Aiken, Westwood One
Jackie Ebnet, Mtheory
Haley Fairman, UTA
Kenyon Glenn, ASCAP
David Hawkins, MY Public Relations Lab
Lacey Hayes, Romeo Entertainment Group (REG)
Gator Pizer, Farris, Self & Moore
Nathan Pyle, Songfluencer
Lizzy Stone, Wiles + Taylor & Co.
Bryan Webb, Apple Music

ACM LEVel Up, 2023 Cohort, who have just completed the first year of the program:
Sabrina Butera, CAA
Nick Coulson, SiriusXM/The Highway
Ellen Ford, BBR Music Group
Aimee Graham, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Synnovea Cleveland, Sony Music Publishing
Alex Heimerman, UMG Nashville
Roxy King, UMPG
Markus Koger, Smoking Section Podcast
Jenn Tressler, Opry Entertainment Group

ACM LEVel Up, 2022 Cohort, who have just completed the program:
Kaela Allen, Singer-Songwriter
Mackenzie Cooper, Triple Tigers Records
Stephanie Davenport, Warner Music Nashville
Morgan Kenney, WME
Daniel Killian, FBMM
Shelby White, AEG Presents

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