RIAA Elevates Michele Ballantyne To President & COO

Michele Ballantyne. Photo: Courtesy of RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has promoted Michele Ballantyne to President. She will also continue to serve as COO, running daily operations and managing the 56-employee team.

Serving on the executive leadership team alongside Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier, Ballantyne spearheads daily operations and represents RIAA at a wide range of policy and industry events. She began her tenure with the organization in 2004 and was appointed to COO in 2019.

“As a music fan who’s also had a front row seat to the Washington policymaking, I’m grateful to spend my days connecting these communities—helping them understand and work with each other. This expanded role leading RIAA alongside Mitch will allow us to continue fighting for a diverse industry that innovates, creates and thrives,” Ballantyne shares. “Music has always had the power to shift perspectives and drive culture forward. I look forward to what our label partners and talented artists dream up next—and we will be here to champion it!”

“Michele and I have had the privilege of guiding RIAA and supporting our member companies through amazing celebrations and challenges in the industry,” says Glazier. “I am grateful for her remarkable leadership and genuine care for people. Our playlists may not always be in sync, but our determination for a thriving and equitable community for music creators is.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)

• My Music Row Story: The GreenRoom’s Kristie Sloan - July 15, 2026
• My Music Row Story: PLA Media’s Pam Lewis - June 17, 2026
• Ella Langley Notches Sixth Week Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart - May 29, 2026