Mikaela Allen
Director of Product Marketing, ADA
Mikaela Allen is the Director of Product Marketing at ADA. In her role, she is responsible for framing the voice of ADA and how the company communicates tech updates both internally and externally to their label partners. Allen has worked for companies including TIDAL, Madison Square Garden and DistroKid. She is passionate about advocating for independent artists and helping them make a living out of their artistry.
Cathy Applefeld Olson
Founder, Hollywood & Mind
Cathy Applefeld Olson is a veteran entertainment journalist, event producer and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Hollywood & Mind, a first-of-its kind venture focused on leveraging the unparalleled influence of the entertainment industry to elevate mental health and save lives.
Mariah Comer
Partner, LaPolt Law, P.C.
Mariah Comer is a partner at LaPolt Law, P.C. She works closely with the firm’s Hip-Hop and Rap artists and is responsible for communicating directly with their partners, helping clients improve their brands and negotiate deals. Her work primarily focuses on transactional entertainment & intellectual property matters relating to both the music industry and brand endorsements. In her free time, Comer enjoys mentoring first-generation college and law school students of color like herself.
Iara Dias
Metaverse Producer, Decentraland
Iara Dias is a producer for the Decentraland Foundation, a decentralized virtual reality platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain that enables users to create, experience and monetize their content and applications. In her role, Dias works with the content team on leading the music track, producing content inside the platform, and bringing value & entertainment for their stakeholders. Her expertise & passion about music technology and the music industry has led her to become an author, entrepreneur, musician, product manager and consultant.
Hannah (Dudley) Ladner
Head of Artist Marketing & Promotion, Amuse
With more than 15 years of experience across digital and traditional artist marketing, Hannah Ladner is in charge of Amuse’s global label marketing team. Strategic, data-driven and detail-oriented, her past roles hail from major labels to indie artist promotion and brand experience. Passionate about how to combine creative brand building with digital marketing, Dudley’s work helps independent artists make and keep their work relevant to the right audiences in today’s scattered music landscape.
Britnee Foreman
Head of Data Strategy & Digital Operation, Exceleration Music
Britnee Foreman serves as the Head of Data Strategy & Digital Operation at Exceleration Music, where she scales labels and music catalogs using data in addition to working across company verticals including royalty collection, marketing, development and discovery. She is also the current Global Co-Chair for Membership at Women in Music, an organization committed to advancing equality, visibility and opportunities for women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment, and recognition. Over the span of her career, she worked for Downtown Music Holdings, Songtrust, Universal Music, Temple Music Investments, and more.
Maria Gironas
Founder, Cool Shit, Cool People
Global Chair, Diversity & Inclusion, Women In Music
Maria Gironas is the founder of Cool Shit, Cool People, an artist development, talent relations & integrated marketing company which serves clients like Wide Eyed Entertainment, Casper and Downtown Records. Gironas is also the Global Chair of Diversity and Inclusion at Women In Music, where she works to create sustainable change for women at all stages of their career. Most recently, Gironas served as Sr. Partnerships Manager for Creators at Reddit, where she developed the company’s talent program to encourage community and belonging among creators. Over the past 10+ years, she has held roles with Reybee, Fender and Youtube.
Lynn Gonzalez
EVP & Head of Business Affairs and Business Development, Def Jam Recordings
Lynn Gonzalez is the EVP & Head of Business Affairs and Business Development for Def Jam Recordings. In her current role, she manages the label’s business and legal matters in connection with artists such as Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Justin Bieber. She extends her knowledge to organizations including Universal’s Task Force For Meaningful Change & Institutional Change Committee and the Black Women in Entertainment Law Foundation. Pagan began her career at the Wall Street based law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP as an associate in the Intellectual Property Department. She also taught a class on the music industry and copyright basics as an adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City. During her time at NYU, Pagan managed the school’s popular radio station WNYU and produced and hosted a long running underground Hip-Hop radio show called “The Halftime Show.”
Kristin Grant
CEO, Westcott Media
Kristin Grant serves as the CEO of Westcott Multimedia, an automated advertising platform designed for independent record labels. Grant previously managed Global Playlist Strategies at Universal Music Group in Nashville, and worked as an Entertainment Analyst at Manga Investments in New York City. She also has written pieces about music technology, media and entertainment that have appeared in Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and Medium.
Diana Hernandez
Engagement Manager, HIFI
Co-Founder, Urbano Street
Diana Hernandez is the Engagement Manager at HIFI, a financial rights organization for the music industry. She launched the HIFI Diversity Program in 2020, which provides microgrants to BIPOC artists, managers, and producers with access to office hours to ensure financial efficiency throughout their careers. Hernandez is also the co-founder of Urbano St. station, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that captures multicultural and alternative artists’ expressions in the streets. She also volunteers as the Executive Director and producer for the U Street Music Fest.
Janishia Jones
Music Tech & Publishing Consultant, EMPIRE
Janisha Jones has led a decade-long career in the independent sector of the music industry as a data analyst and music publishing expert working for some of the most successful music companies in the world including EMPIRE, SRC / Universal Motown, eOne, and Kobalt Music Publishing. Her expertise in product management has resulted in her founding ENCORE Music Tech Solutions, where she consults major music companies on developing technology to expand business operations. She is also the founder and data analyst for A Seat at the Table Market Research, whose “A Seat at the Table: A Perspective on Women of Color in the Music Business” study provided the industry with its first data-driven analysis on intersectionality. Jones is also the owner of Fresh ‘n Sassy Productions LLC, establishing a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women of color (WOC) in the music industry, including the “Pub Royalty Queen” Podcast where she interviews WOC about their experiences navigating white male-dominated spaces; and JukeJoint Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting WOC in the music business by providing resources in the form of scholarships, grants & access to music biz related events.
Zeena Koda
Co-Founder, Asian American Collective
Zeena Koda is a co-founder of Asian American Collective, an organization cultivating community for Asian Americans in music that is focused on building meaningful connections through mentorship and being a vocal presence through activism & education. Currently, she is also Head of Brand Digital Marketing at The North Face, and host & producer of the podcast, “Everything’s Political.” A seasoned digital marketing exec, Koda parlayed the music biz skills she developed as a vocalist in local bands into head digital marketing roles at Roadrunner, Motown / Capitol and Atlantic Records. She has also worked on GRAMMY-award winning releases from Nipsey Hussle and Meek Mill, as well as developing digital for up-and-coming talent. Elsewhere, she has hosted video programming on FUSE, Music Choice, Reelz, VEVO, Loudwire, Revolver, and Warner’s The Pit. Since 2015, Koda has hosted and produced several other podcast series including “Ladyish,” “BoxxTalk,” and Revolver’s “Last Words” podcast. She began her music journalism and broadcast career in 2008 as a morning radio host on SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal, and a freelance writer & video journalist for VICE, Mass Appeal, Uproxx, FADER and Revolver.
Nico Machlitt
Co-Founder, Queer Capita
Associate Digital Marketing Manager, Vevo
Nico Machlitt is an Associate Digital Marketing Manager at Vevo, leading marketing campaigns for Pride and Black History Month and for artists such as Madison Beer, The Kid Laroi, Latto and Future. In the Fall of 2021, he co-founded Queer Capita, a networking group for LGBTQ+ music industry professionals, which produces professional development workshops, member events, and mentorship opportunities.
Leigh McCorkle
Chief People Officer, The MLC
Leigh McCorkle serves as Chief People Officer for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), managing the organization’s efforts to build a talented, diverse team of professionals who are passionate about The MLC’s mission of serving songwriters & music publishers and providing them with exceptional service. Most recently, McCorkle was the Executive Director of Human Resources for Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). McCorkle’s talent acquisition and team-building expertise stems from years of leading human resources departments in various industries and for diverse companies, including Macy’s, Kaiser Permanente and the Federal Reserve Bank. Known for moving strategies into results, she has cultivated high-performing HR teams that thrive as business partners and ultimately demonstrate the value of Human Resources for business success.
Andile Ndlovu
Sr. Manager, Electric Feel Entertainment
Andile Ndlovu serves as a Sr. Artist Manager at Electric Feel Entertainment, overseeing the careers of Iann Dior and female producer, Vron. In this role, she has lead her artists to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, partnerships with MCM and touring arenas in the US and in Europe for the 2022 Mainstream Sellout tour. She also serves as a mentor on Femme it Forward’s Next Gen Femme Program, and as a board member for We Are R.I.S.E. Prior to joining Electric Feel, Ndlovu was a manager at FAE grp onboard Rita Ora’s team, handling operations throughout the artist’s world tours. As the former right hand to the CEO of tech startup, Soothe, she helped the company grow to 150+ employees in 69 markets worldwide.
Naledi Nyahuma Seck
VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, The Orchard
Naledi Nyahuma Seck is the current VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for The Orchard. Since joining the company, she has furthered The Orchard’s DEI and social impact efforts by implementing programs that promote transparency in hiring, retention and promotion practices, in addition to facilitating partnerships in the UK, Canada and Nigeria to expand global diversity efforts. Seck began her career at the Recording Academy and has since worked for AEG/L.A. LIVE, the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation and Universal Music Group. This past year, she launched ELEVATE, a global program designed to provide diverse employees with mentorship, coaching, and resources to prepare them for future leadership roles. She serves on the Council for Equity and Progressive Action and oversees the Global Social Justice Fund.
Stefanie Pagan
Digital Marketing Manager, The Orchard
Stefanie Pagan serves as the Digital Marketing Manager for The Orchard. She joined the Orchard as an intern during her final year of college, which led to her working various roles in the company upon graduation, including Digital Specialist, College Marketing Coordinator for Frenchkiss Records.
Mary Rahmani
Founder, Moon Projects
Mary Rahmani is the founder of Moon Projects, a joint venture record label with Republic Records; a joint venture music publishing company with Warner Chappell Music; and a creative services agency offering curation, strategy & digital consulting services for musicians and brands entering the short-form video landscape. The company was started in May 2021 with the goal of serving artists and brands with stakes in the music industry and the creator economy. Prior to founding Moon Projects, Rahmani was TikTok’s first music hire, where she developed her expertise in the worlds of short-form video, strategic creative partnerships, and A&R across emerging platforms. While at TikTok, she worked closely with artists including Lil Nas X, The Weeknd and Doja Cat. Rahmani previously led A&R efforts at Capitol/Harvest Records, and managed bands around LA including The Airborne Toxic Event.
Logan Russell
Director of Music Licensing, Reach Records
Logan Russell is Director of Music Licensing at Reach Records, a role which sees him lead strategy & administration for the label’s publishing & sync licensing arm. He has also A&R’d multiple projects with artists from Reach with the TV and Film spaces in mind. In 2020, he lead the team in licensing & creating the soundtrack for the Netflix film, “Blue Miracle” which debuted at #3 in the US and #1 in Mexico. Outside of Reach Records, he also managed artist Abe Parker and helped build his following to over 250,000 on TikTok and 2.5 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Neitra Scott
Head of HR, Round Hill Music
Neitra Scott serves as Head of HR for Round Hill Music. Over the span of her 15-year career, she has worked in a number of industries and held various key positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as a HR Manager at Sony Music Entertainment. During her time at Sony, Scott provided HR leadership and support to Nashville-based employees and helped to create and implement strategic initiatives and best practices that encouraged an inclusive, equitable, and productive work environment.She also serves as a facilitator to a Nashville-based consultant company, where she helps organizations navigate discussions through such topics as unconscious biases, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and beyond.
Maddy Sundquist
Founder, MADKAT Management
Maddy Sundquist is the founder of the Nashville-based management company, MADKAT Management, whose current roster includes Stephen Day, Sawyer and Micah Tawlks. Sundquist started working with Day and Sawyer while attending Belmont University, and officially started the firm after graduating in August 2017. Along with those roles, she has been an A&R Consultant for 300 Elektra Entertainment for the past two years.
Outside of the office, Sundquist has worked to build community across the Nashville entertainment space as a member of TONS and the Recording Academy. She also served on multiple non-profit boards including SOLID as the Community Outreach Chair and YEP Nashville’s Education Chair.
Aaron Tochini
Director of Events, Music Business Association
Aaron Tochini is currently the Director of Events at the Music Business Association (Music Biz), where he partners globally with sponsors and members to bring programs and events to various cities across the world. Prior to joining Music Biz in 2019, he held various roles in Event Operations, Hospitality Management and Guest Experience for companies including Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Omni Hotel. Tochini enjoys how he has bridged his experience with his passions while bringing events to life for the Association.
Robby Towns
Co-Founder & Head of Strategy, GoodCopBadCop
Robby Towns is the Co-Founder & Head of Strategy for creative services firm, GoodCopBadCop. The company was launched in September 2019 as a co-venture with Blind Copy Creative founder, Nada Taha, and works with artists and brands like BRELAND, Chase Rice, Nox Holloway, Chevrolet and Carhartt.
A 20-year professional and creative services veteran, he has previously held various marketing & tech advisory roles in Columbia Records and Spotify. Towns also served as the Director of Digital Strategy for the Music Business Association (Music Biz), where he helped spearhead the release of the first universal Music Metadata Style Guide and played a key part in bringing the Music Biz Conference to Nashville in 2015. In 2010, Towns founded NestaMusic, a consultancy initially focusing on strategy, research and new media initiatives in the music industry. He got his start in the Advisory Services practice of KPMG.
In November 2021, Towns was named the Chair of the Nashville Chapter for MMF-US. He has served as a U.S. delegate to Eurosonic-Noorderslag in the Netherlands on seven different occasions. Most recently, he completed a Blockchain Strategy Programme through the University of Oxford.
Sally Velazquez
Owner & Business Manager, Empower Business Management
Tax attorney & business manager, Sally Velazquez is the founder of Empower Business Management, Inc. Based in LA, she represents musicians, actors and other entertainers in the entertainment industry, and is known for her expertise in tax and entity structuring. With over fifteen years experience in tax, accounting and business management, Velazquez provides concierge services while overseeing bookkeeping, accounting, financial reporting, insurance and investments for her client’s personal & financial affairs. Velazquez has been recognized on Billboard’s 2020, 2021 & 2022’s Top Business Managers lists Trusted Advisor’s 2021 & 2022’s Future of Business Management lists. She also serves on the boards of the Leading By Example Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial literacy education to inner city youth; and We Are R.I.S.E., Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering elementary to middle school-aged girls of color by equipping them with social, emotional and developmental skills.
Brandon Williams
Marketing Manager, Nettwerk Music
Brandon Williams serves as Marketing Manager for Nettwerk, where he creates marketing campaigns that drive awareness, discoverability, and sales for artists’ newly launched merch and physical music products. As part of Nettwerk’s Label & Product Management, he guides the company’s signed Ambient & Neoclassical artists through best practices and assists them with album rollouts. Williams has more than 15 years of advertising experience in music, entertainment, and tech; and specializes in ad sales, brand development, experiential, and brand partnerships. His previous clients include Afropunk.com, Black Love, youngpeopleinervovery.org, Moods of Norway, Adidas, Will.i.am, insomniac Events, Instagram and Walmart. Williams previously toured as an artist under the moniker Dame 55, performing with the likes Steve Aoki, Boys Noize and Will.I.am.
