Folk Alliance International Taps Jennifer Roe As Executive Director

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Jennifer Roe. Photo: Fawn Lies

Folk Alliance International (FAI) has appointed longtime Operations Director Jennifer Roe as its new Executive Director.

Since joining FAI, Roe has played a crucial role in leading staff and overseeing day-to-day operations. As a strong advocate for arts and culture at both federal and state levels, Roe shows her commitment to fostering folk music and building an interconnected community.

In her previous role, Roe worked alongside former Executive Directors Louis Meyers, Aengus Finnan and Neeta Ragoowansi to expand FAI’s reach, doubling the operating budget and expanding the organization’s global network to include artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, diplomats and more.

“Taking on the Executive Director position at Folk Alliance International is a thrilling opportunity. I love this community, and I am excited to continue to work with our dedicated team and board to serve our membership,” Roe shares. “I am ready to embrace the challenges and seize the opportunities in this role as we work to advance the strategic plan. I am honored to lead an organization that celebrates cultural diversity, promotes artistic expression, and cultivates a community united by the power of music.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Roe as Folk Alliance International’s Executive Director. With Jennifer’s deep knowledge of Folk Alliance International and her passion and dedication to the folk community, she is uniquely qualified to lead us, bringing about a new chapter for the organization. We are so grateful to Jennifer, and we look forward to the work she’ll do both with and for our members and the folk community at large.” says FAI’s Board President, Ashley Shabankareh. “We are so excited to have Jennifer at the helm of the organization!”

Prior to joining FAI, Roe worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader before transitioning to a public service role for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. She later returned to her home in Kansas City, where she worked with individuals with disabilities and established an administrative services business, where FAI became a client.

In addition to her new role, Roe has shared that the International Folk Music Awards 2025 conference will take place from Feb. 19 to 23 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at the Queens Elizabeth Hotel.

John Nix Arledge
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