(2023 WMBA Board of Officers pictured top L-R, Virginia P. Brick, Aura Guadagno, Taylor Baird, Alyssa Hoffman
Bottom L-R: Libby Gardner, Megan Clemens, Mackenzie Adkins, Aya Robinson)
(NASHVILLE, TN – February 15, 2023) — The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) announces today its 2023 Board of Officers, Organizational Chairs, and Board of Directors.
Serving on the 2023 board are President Virginia P. Brick (SESAC), Vice President Aura Guadagno (Varnell Enterprises), Treasurer Taylor Baird (Wiles + Taylor & Co.), Secretary Alyssa Hoffman (Manager of Wayland), Events & Education Co-Chairs Libby Gardner (Academy of Country Music) and Megan Clemons (CSM Management), and Marketing & Membership Co-Chairs Mackenzie Adkins (Rhonda & Company) and Aya Robinson (Opry Entertainment Group).
The WMBA Board of Directors will be led by newly elected Chairwoman Amery Fridenstine (Above Board Consulting) alongside brand-new board members Sheree Spoltore (Global Songwriters Connection), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), and Christy Walker-Watkins (The AristoMedia Group/AristoPR). Brandi Simms (MooTV, Moo Creative & The Steel Mill) will continue in an advisory role as Board of Directors Emeritus, and Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, & Norton LLP) will act as Legal Counsel.
“When I think about WMBA, where it started, where it is today, and where it’s going, it’s incredible to see all the work that so many women in the industry have done to bring it to life. This amazing new class of leaders is brilliant, driven, and eager to continue to take WMBA to the next level. I was honored to kick off the year, share my story and hopefully help provide some insight to navigate someone’s path along the way,” shares Brandi Simms.
Pictured left L-R WMBA Board of Directors Chairwoman Amery Fridenstine, Sheree Spoltore, Christy Walker-Watkins, Jensen Sussman, Brandi Simms, and Lauren Spahn (not pictured). Photo Credit: Aya Robinson
Kicking off the year, WMBA held its first 2023 meeting on Tuesday, January 24, at SESAC in Nashville, TN. Bringing the new members together, Simms was the featured speaker of the evening and shared her career story, the history of WMBA, and what she sees as the organization’s future.
President Brick adds “It is a privilege to follow in the footprints of those who served before me, and I admire the opportunity to lead this organization with a good balance of head and heart in 2023. WMBA has built a culture of empowered women who choose to be bold and brilliant innovative leaders paving their own way in the music industry. My vision this year is to create safe spaces for our women to start conversations, migrate ideas, problem solve, impact through service projects, foster creative collaborations within our community of members and alumni while forging partnerships with other organizations and local businesses that align with WMBA’s mission. It’s going to be a fantastic year.”
Joining WMBA as the Class of 2023 is:
Nina Teapot Owens (The Teapot Legacy)
Jessica Hamorsky (Degy Entertainment)
Marisa Righi (Freeman)
Cait Murphy (TalkShop Live)
Ashlea Sexton (Concord)
Taylor Weatherby (The Recording Academy)
Madeline Hilliard (Grayscale Marketing)
Brianna Holko (Me Gusta Music)
Michaela Baker (AEG Presents)
Madison Policastri (Red Street Records)
Megan Osman (Rock Ridge Music)
Mariah Tobias (LBK Entertainment)
Emily Gene Baldridge (Peermusic)
Beka Bishop (B Street Management)
Megan Astri (The Country Music Hall of Fame)
Cambria Sojka (Red Street Records)
Shelby Rubin (Downtown Music Publishing)
Brenna Woods (Wasserman Music, LLC)
Robin Ruddy (Parlor Productions)
Andrea Castiano (Singer-Songwriter at Andrea Sings, LLC)
Erin Patterson (Day After Day Productions)
About Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA): WMBA is an exclusive professional organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music business through education, networking, industry involvement, community service, and organizational fellowship. Every month, the WMBA hosts membership meetings featuring guest speakers and panelists from all areas of the music business as well as networking events, philanthropic opportunities, and social outings for current and prospective members alike.
www.instagram.com/wmbanashville
www.facebook.com/wmbanashville
###
For more information contact: Alyssa Hoffman, Secretary at 615-693-9895 and secretary@wmbanashville.org