46 Industry Pros named to Leadership Music Class of 2026

46 industry professionals have been named to the Leadership Music Class of 2026. The 8 month program begins in October and offers an immersive exploration of the music business, fostering cross-sector understanding and long-lasting professional relationships.

46 Industry Pros named to Leadership Music Class of 2026

I am among Leadership Music’s 1400 graduates and count it among the top experiences of my music industry career. While the program began focused on Nashville and is still based there, its since become much more representative of the entire music industry.

Beyond the education and discussions, Leadership Music is about building new relationships. Like 2026 class members, Rev. Moose, NYC based Managing Partner/Co-Founder of Marauder and Cambridge, Massachusetts’s Shawn Radley of Kendall Booking, I was an “outsider” who was instantly made to feel welcome.

Bruce Houghton

“The Leadership Music selection committee is committed to assembling a group of distinguished professionals who not only excel in their fields but also represent the rich diversity of the music industry across the country. The Class of 2026 upholds this tradition, and we’re thrilled to welcome them this fall,” said Kelli Haywood, Leadership Music Past President and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee.

“Each year, the selection committee approaches the process with intention and precision, carefully evaluating candidates based on their professional accomplishments, leadership potential, and community impact. Equally important is our commitment to building a class that reflects the diversity of the music industry,” said Scott Gerow, Leadership Music Board President and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee.  “We’re incredibly proud of the exceptional individuals chosen for our 36th class and look forward to seeing how the Leadership Music Class of 2026 comes together and makes its mark.”

The incoming members of the Leadership Music Class of 2026:

1.      Charles Alexander, Founder/CEO, ViNIL & Launcher Music

2.      Brendon Anthony, Vice President, Big Loud Texas (Austin, TX)

3.      Aftyn Behn, State Representative, Tennessee General Assembly

4.      Ben Carter, VP, Live Events & Production, Academy of Country Music

5.      Thomas Clees, SVP, Federal Public Policy, RIAA (Washington, DC)

6.      Brent Daughrity, National Dir. Music Entertainment, Gallagher

7.      Sarah D’Hilly, Music Business Partnerships, Apple Music

8.      Stevie Escoto, Senior Managing Director, Girlilla Marketing

9.      Michael Farris, Sr. Director, Business Strategy and Insights, Country Music Association

10.  Kerri Fox-Metoyer, Head of Entertainment Services, Gabb

11.  Anna Frick, Mastering & Restoration Engineer, Ally Sound (Niwot, Colorado)

12.  Eboni Funderburk, Founder & CEO, EFG Promotions & Consulting

13.  Alex Hall, Singer/Songwriter, Blue Harbor Publishing

14.  Mathias John, Principal Designer, The Intellectual Phase Design Group

15.  Ashley Joyce, SVP, Legal & Business Affairs, National Music Publishers’ Association (Washington, DC)

16.  Joe Keeley, Principal, Keeley Law and Policy (Washington, DC)

17.  Lauren Kilgore, SVP, Legal and Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville

18.  Sam Kling, Chief Creative Officer, SESAC Performing Rights (Santa Monica, CA)

19.  Anna Kolander, Senior Artist Manager/Head of A&R, Activist Artists Management

20.  Lee Krabel, Senior Vice President, SMACKSongs

21.  Betsy Lamb, Contractor, Nashville String Machine

22.  Michelle Lewis, CEO, Songwriters of North America (SONA)/The SONA Foundation (Encino, CA)

23.  Wayne Linder, Chief Sales Officer, Pioneer Coach

24.  Sloane Logue, Partner – Head of Client Strategy, WME

25.  Zebb Luster, Executive Vice President & Artist Manager, River House Artists

26.  Fount Lynch, SVP, Publicity, Warner Music Nashville

27.  Xenia Manning, Director of Global Music Policy, Spotify (Washington, DC)

28.  Rick Marshall, General Counsel, The MLC

29.  Maynard, EVP Programming, iHeartMedia

30.  Marne McLyman, Manager, Maverick Nashville

31.  Rev. Moose, Managing Partner/Co-Founder, Marauder (New York, NY)

32.  Kiely Mosiman, Agent, Wasserman Music

33.  Katie Neal, Host of Katie & Company, Audacy

34.  Mallory Pascal, Partner/Business Manager, KBFM, LLC

35.  Jason Plum, Relationship Manager & Vice President, City National Bank

36.  Keyana Pusey, VP and Assistant General Counsel for Intellectual Property, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, DC)

37.  Shawn Radley, Partner / Lead Buyer, Kendall Booking (Cambridge, MA)

38.  Rachel Rodriguez, CEO/Artistic Director, RR Productions

39.  Marc Rucker, Associate Director, Artist & Industry Relations, SoundExchange

40.  Eric Scott, EVP, Rights & Royalties, BMG

41.  Emily Stephenson, President, Downtown Music Publishing

42.  Bryan Todd, Owner | Producer | Songwriter, BT MUSIC, LLC

43.  Dave Tough, Professor, Audio Engineering Technology, Belmont University

44.  Jeff vom Saal, Chief Operating Officer, Nashville Symphony

45.  Reid Wick, Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement, The Recording Academy (New Orleans, LA)

46.  Carin Zaleski, Director of Development, Ryan Seacrest Foundation