CMA Reveals Incoming Women’s Leadership Academy Class

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The Country Music Association has revealed its latest Women’s Leadership Academy class.

Featuring 16 female leaders in country music, this year’s class includes Michelle Attardi (Senior Creative Director, Big Machine Music), Jackie Augustus (Lead of Country & Folk Artists Partnerships, Spotify), Lydia Schultz Cahill (Senior Director Creative Services, SESAC), Elice Cuff (Senior Director of Media Relations, BMI Nashville), Lindsey Feinstein (Account Director, Girlilla Marketing), Katie Germano (Agent, CAA), Beth Hamilton (Agent/Partner, WME), Betsy Lee (Business Manager, FBMM), Kelly Littlefield (Director of HR & Operations, The Neal Agency), Anna Pittman (Vice President of Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Jeanette Porcello (Senior Manager of A&R, Downtown Artist and Label Services), Shana Melissa Saunders (Product Manager, Universal Music Group Nashville), Grace Schoper (Manager, Dennis Entertainment), Casey Thomas (Vice President of Marketing & Commercial Partnerships, Monument Records), Jess Tomlins (Project Manager & Day-to-Day Manager, Neon Coast) and Emily Wright (Agent of Music Brand Partnerships, United Talent Agency).

The professional development program, now in its third year, will kick off on Aug. 5. For 12 weeks, the program will include educational sessions, bi-monthly group coaching and more. Designed to advance the professional growth of participants, members will be equipped with integral leadership skills and create a supportive community in the industry.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming this group of women to our WLA class,” shares Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “Now in our third year, I am continuously amazed and inspired by the women that we are able to engage with through this program, and this year is no different. I am also especially excited to welcome new executive coaches this year and have no doubt that these women will walk away empowered and more prepared for the impactful careers that lie ahead of them.”

Participants will begin the program by setting personal goals before joining collaborative group sessions led by Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. Gamble and Provonchee empower female leaders in both their personal and professional lives, and have an array of experience in developing, leading and evaluating leadership development initiatives.

The curriculum will address key topics including personal branding, career mobility, DEI, conflict navigation, self-advocacy and negotiation, self-promotion and influence, as well as increasing confidence to maximize leadership impact and career success. Cohort members will also be mentored by established program alumni and industry experts.

Madison Hahnen
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