The Recording Academy recognizes excellence in the recording arts and sciences, cultivates the well-being of the music community, and ensures that music remains an indelible part of our culture.

Music

The Recording Academy

Lynne Sheridan serves as Vice President of Artist Relations, Programs and Content for the GRAMMY Museum®. Sheridan leads the Museum's Public Programs and oversees the Museum's digital content department. She also spearheads the Museum’s artist relations efforts and manages the Museum’s production team.

In her role, Sheridan develops programmatic content for the virtual GRAMMY Museum and books and produces all live public programming. A 30-year music industry veteran, she has been with the GRAMMY Museum since its inception in 2007. During her time at the Museum, Sheridan created the Public Programs series, booking and producing nearly 1,000 artist interviews, performances, film screenings, and panel discussions with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Brandi Carlile, Common, Haim, La Santa Cecilia, John Legend, Shawn Mendes, Stevie Nicks, Public Enemy, Mavis Staples, Ringo Starr, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Jack White, Brian Wilson, X, and more.

Prior to joining the GRAMMY Museum, Sheridan worked in New York City at Columbia Records, [Epic Records](/org/epic-records), Tommy Boy Music, and the Bob Dylan Music Company. She has booked and produced panels, programs, showcases and concerts at SXSW in Austin, Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville, and various tribute shows at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Sheridan has also produced concerts such as "Like a Complete Unknown: A Concert Celebrating the Music of Bob Dylan" with the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, collaborated with the New York Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center on various programs, and co-produced all five Woody Guthrie Centennial Concert celebrations that took place nationwide in 2012.

Sheridan currently serves as an active board member for the Americana Music Association. She has also served as Secretary on the executive board for the past five years.

Sheridan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University.

Lynne Sheridan

Bob Santelli serves as Founding Executive Director of the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)®. In his role, Santelli advises the President of the Museum on key content and programmatic issues. He curates the Museum's main exhibitions, hosts selective educational and public programs and oversees the Museum's Institutional and University Affiliate programs. Santelli is also responsible for consulting with the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)'s sister institutions —the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum) Mississippi and the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum) Experience in Newark, New Jersey.

During his tenure, Santelli helped the Museum expanded its brand with the opening of new museums in three domestic markets; curated over 65 exhibits, many of which traveled internationally; produced over 600 public programs; and formed educational partnerships with the White House and The Kennedy Center. Following the merger of the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum) and the GRAMMY Foundation in 2017, Santelli was named Founding Executive Director and currently oversees the Museum's outside projects and traveling exhibits.

Prior to joining the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum), Santelli was one of the original curators of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and was the museum's first Director of Education and Vice President of Public Programs. In 2000, he was appointed CEO of the Experience Music Project (now MoPOP) in Seattle, the first-ever interactive music museum. Santelli also developed the UK's first pop music museum, the British Music Experience.

Santelli a frequent lecturer on American music and a noted blues and rock historian, contributing to [Rolling Stone](/org/rolling-stone) and The New York Times, among other periodicals, as well as the author of more than a dozen books on American music, including Greetings From E Street and The Bob Dylan Scrapbook, both New York Times bestsellers. In 2012, Santelli co-produced Woody At 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection, which earned him a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Historical Album. In 2020, Santelli won a GRAMMY for Best Historical Album for his work on Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection.

Santelli holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Monmouth University and a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

Bob Santelli

Branden Chapman serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Recording Academy®. He is responsible for leading the Entertainment/Consumer Division, which includes Partnerships & Business Development, Communications, Digital Media, Marketing & Branding, Production, and Talent Relations.

In his role, Chapman oversees the slate of telecast specials, digital series and content while focusing on strategic growth of the Academy's entertainment offerings. In collaboration with the President/CEO, he is responsible for revenue growth, expense management and the execution of the Entertainment and Consumer business unit’s operating plan and long term strategies that support the Recording Academy’s mission and vision.

Chapman previously served as Executive in Charge of Production, where he oversaw the telecast logistics, including revenue and cost management, timeline scheduling, creative development, ticketing, credentialing, venue relations, security, and municipal relations. During his tenure, he conceived and launched events featuring the Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, JAY-Z, Lady Gaga, John Legend, and Sam Smith, among others. Chapman also served as Chief Business Development Officer, where he was responsible for many of the Academy's business development initiatives, including the international sales of the telecast properties and brand expansion efforts. He was appointed as the Academy representative to manage the early development of the GRAMMY Museum®, which opened in 2008.

Prior to joining the organization, Chapman had more than seven years of experience in television, event production and management consulting. He currently serves on the boards of the GRAMMY Museum and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. In 2003 he was named Event Planner of the Year by BizBash.

Chapman earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and graduated summa cum laude from the [University of Southern California](/org/university-of-southern-california) with a dual emphasis on entrepreneurship and marketing.

Branden Chapman

Ruby Marchand serves as Chief Industry Officer for the Recording Academy®, leading the Trade/Industry Division and overseeing the Membership & Industry Relations and Awards departments.

Prior to joining the executive team, Marchand held several elected leadership roles at the Academy. In 2004, she was elected Governor and Vice President of the New York Chapter, where she chaired GRAMMY In The Schools® for more than 12 years. In 2011, Marchand was elected a National Trustee from the New York Chapter and served for two terms. She was elected Vice Chair of the Academy by the National Board of Trustees in 2015 and served until 2019. Additionally, she was co-chair of the Awards & Nominations Committee for seven years and helped drive new eligibility rules related to streaming as well as the process of refreshing fields and categories for the GRAMMY Awards®. As an elected leader, Marchand has served on many national committees, including Membership, Planning & Governance, Finance, and Executive. Additionally, Marchand was a member of the National Advocacy Committee in 2015–16 and represented the Academy on an historic trade mission in 2014 with A2IM and several independent labels to Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong.

Marchand previously held leadership roles at [Warner Music Group](/org/warner-music-group), including Vice President of International A&R for 25 years, Head of A&R for Cordless Recordings and Rykodisc, and Senior Vice President of Revenue and Repertoire Assurance. Marchand has served as a consultant to the Music and Performing Arts Professions' school at NYU and at other companies and organizations. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt's Music Business Program where she co-teaches Production and A&R in the Music Industry.

Marchand serves as Secretary and National Trustee of the T. J. Martell Foundation, a cancer research foundation supported by the music industry that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight against cancer. In 2016, she received the Women of Influence Award from the T. J. Martell Foundation in New York.

Marchand attended Oberlin College where she graduated with an independent major in translating the work of French and German women poets into English. She studied flute at the Oberlin Conservatory and played in the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble and the Oberlin gamelan.

Ruby Marchand

Om'Mas Keith serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy®. In this role, he sits on the Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Planning/Governance Committee; and also serves as Chair of the Audit/Finance Committee. He oversees the custody of all books, records, and papers of the Recording Academy, and is also tasked with certifying the Bylaws and all resolutions and other documents of the Recording Academy as true and correct.

GRAMMY® Award-winning/multi-platinum-selling producer, engineer, composer, musician, performer, executive, and TV personality, Keith, is a Hollis, Queens, New York native with a rich musical pedigree. He is one of the founding members of the avant-garde hip-hop/jazz trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners and has worked as a producer and songwriter with such artists as Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, Kanye West, John Legend, and Anderson.Paak, Vic Mensa, Kali Uchis, and Frank Ocean.

Keith began his service to the Recording Academy as a Los Angeles Chapter Board Advisor in 2015-2016. He's since served as a Los Angeles Chapter Board Governor & National Trustee. As Awards and Nominations Co-Chair he oversaw the historic positive and cultural change in the awards process. His participation as a team leader during the GRAMMYs on the Hill® campaign for the passage of the Music Modernization Act was "a life-changing experience." As a founding member of the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective, he is passionate about its goals of increasing diversity and advocating for racial justice.

Om'Mas Keith

Rico Love serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy®. In this role, he sits on the Audit/Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Planning/Governance Committee; and provides assistance as requested by the Chair. 

Love is a three-time SESAC Songwriter of the Year. He has written and produced hit records for artists such as David Guetta/Usher ("Without You"), Romeo Santos ("Promise"), Usher ("There Goes My Baby"), Nelly ("Just a Dream"), Trey Songz ("Heart Attack"), and Kelly Rowland ("Motivation"), and has contributed to GRAMMY® Award-winning works such as Beyoncé's 2009 Best Contemporary R&B Album I Am... Sasha Fierce, Usher's 2010 Best Contemporary R&B Album Raymond v. Raymond, and Usher's 2010 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby." Love continues to enjoy success as a songwriter and producer but is equally dedicated and passionate about his new music conference venture (We Love Music Conference) which is designed to educate, inspire and cultivate up-and-coming talent. His label, D1MG, has partnerships at Epic, Hitco, and Sony.

Rico Love

Shonda Grant serves as the Chief People & Culture Officer for the Recording Academy®. She is responsible for leading all nationwide HR-related activities, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, employee relations, training and development, legal compliance, health and wellness, and policy development for the Recording Academy, the Latin Recording Academy®, MusiCares®, the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)®, and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®.

In her role, Grant is a strategic partner and executive coach to the Academy's senior management team, department heads, Chapter executives, and elected leaders. She is tasked with maintaining and enhancing all employee benefit programs and related costs while ensuring the Academy continues to be a highly desirable and competitive employer. Grant is committed to the safety and well-being of Academy staff, upholding the organization's diverse and inclusive workplace, and leading programs and initiatives that encourage a healthier lifestyle and work/life balance.

She currently serves as the Academy's delegate on the Hollywood Commission, established to create an equitable future by defining and implementing best practices that eliminate sexual harassment and bias for all workers and actively promote a culture of accountability, respect, and equality.

Prior to joining the Academy, Grant held various human resources roles in the technology and telecommunications industries. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resources and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

Shonda Grant

Andrew Joslyn is a Trustee at [The Recording Academy](/org/recording-academy). Andrew was previously a teacher at [Cornish College of the Arts](/org/cornish-college-of-the-arts), and an A&R Manager at Votiv. Andrew has also worked with the [Seattle Symphony](/org/seattle-symphony-orchestra-inc).

Andrew Joslyn has always had a passion for music. Andrew started their career as a teacher, running a summer intensive on Songwriting and Recording. Andrew then moved on to Votiv, where they were in charge of all aspects of production, from creating recording studio budgets to coordinating with [Atlantic Records](/org/atlantic-records) (WEA distribution).

At Votiv, Andrew also started and ran the intern education/training/and hiring program. Andrew was also responsible for the day-to-day administrative duties for the owner of the Music Label, as well as assisting bands signed with the label with a wide range of tasks. In addition, they organized, cataloged, and archived all assets for the company, including Artist assets, music, photographs, insurance policies, contracts, sync/master licenses, and copyright registration of new content.

Andrew Joslyn is now a Trustee at [The Recording Academy](/org/recording-academy). In this role, they are responsible for the organization's strategic planning and execution, as well as its financial health and stability. Andrew also oversees the organization's governance and compliance functions.

Andrew Joslyn's educational career began with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from [Western Washington University](/org/western-washington-university). Andrew then went on to earn a Master Certificate in Music Business from [Berklee College of Music](/org/berklee-college-of-music). Finally, they earned a Specialist Certificate in Music Composition for Film and TV from [Berklee College of Music](/org/berklee-college-of-music). In addition to their formal education, Andrew Joslyn is also certified as a Public Notary by the State of Washington.

Andrew Joslyn

Chuck Ainlay

Tracy Gershon

Anna Frick

Gebre Waddell

Bun B

Ej Gaines

Samantha Cox

Beth Cohen

Marcus Baylor

Larry Batiste

Cheche Alara

Angélique Kidjo

Nabil Ayers is currently a Trustee at [The Recording Academy](/org/recording-academy). Prior to that, they were the US Label Manager at 4AD from January 2009 to January 2022. Before that, they were at Valley of Search / The Control Group. And before that, they were Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Sonic Boom Records Inc from September 1997 to July 2016.

Nabil Ayers has a bachelor's degree in communication from the [University of Puget Sound](/org/university-of-puget-sound).

Nabil Ayers

David "Swagg" Harris

Kennard Garrett

Jordan Hamlin

Yolanda Adams

Michael Romanowski

Thom "TK" Kidd

Julia Michels

Terry Jones

Von Vargas

Doug Emery

Dave Cobb

David Gross

Mike Knobloch

John Legend

Pj Morton

Chelsey Green

Ferddy Calderon

Alex E. Chávez

Natalia Ramirez

Maria Elisa Ayerbe

Valeisha Butterfield Jones serves as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy®. She is responsible for advancing the Recording Academy's mission and ensuring that diversity and inclusion are core to business values and standards, and demonstrated throughout the organization. Butterfield Jones reports directly to Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason jr., effective May 11, 2020.

In her role, Butterfield Jones brings business acumen and strategic rigor to inclusion practices across all areas of the Recording Academy, including internal and external programs, organizational and staff culture, membership, awards and related initiatives. As Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Butterfield Jones is responsible for designing, building and implementing world-class programs and industry standards focused on inclusion, belonging and representation for underrepresented communities and creators.

Prior to joining the Academy, Butterfield Jones served as global head of inclusion at Google, Inc., where she was responsible for accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities internally and externally across the global brand. She also served as the national youth vote director for the Obama for America campaign, delivering one of the highest youth voter turnouts in American history and in the Obama Administration as the deputy director of public affairs for International Trade. She served as the senior vice president of [Rush Communications](/org/rush-communications) (Def Jam Enterprises, Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network) and as the national director of diversity and inclusion for the [Alzheimer's Association](/org/alzheimers-association). Her two decades-long career began at Home Box Office (HBO Sports).

In 2007, Butterfield Jones co-founded Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), a nonprofit, global coalition of women and men committed to the balanced, positive portrayal of women in the entertainment industry. She also serves on the National Board of Directors of ColorComm, MC Lyte’s Hip Hop Sisters Network and iVote for America.

Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes, Glamour, and Ebony magazine's Power 100, The Root 100, Essence magazine's Top 40 Under 40, Elle magazine's Top 25 Most Inspiring Women, Fortune, and others.

Butterfield Jones earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Clark Atlanta University.

Valeisha Butterfield

Adam Roth serves as Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development for the Recording Academy®, responsible for establishing and growing the partnerships and business development function at the organization.

In addition to developing results-driven programs for current GRAMMY Awards® sponsors, Roth creates the strategic planning and sales strategy for developing new business and revenue opportunities. He uses his deep network of industry relationships across the arts, fashion, music, entertainment, and technology industries to create 360 deals as a way to drive new business across all entities of the Recording Academy, including MusiCares®, GRAMMY Museum®, Producers & Engineers Wing®, and The Latin Recording Academy®.

Prior to joining the organization in 2019, Roth served as vice president of strategic partnerships for the not-for-profit, membership-based trade organization Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). In this role he was responsible for bringing the CFDA and the fashion industry at large into high-profile arenas to promote both the organization and its membership to new audiences. His accomplishments while at CFDA include creating the first-ever MTV-CFDA Fashion Vanguard Award for the MTV-VMAs and implementing key marketing initiatives with the NFL for Super Bowl 50 and Google. He also spent seven years at Condé Nast, where he was in charge of developing custom programs for luxury advertising partners across their men's, women's, travel, and home brands.

Roth was named Condé Nast Marketer of the Year in 2008 and Marketer of the Quarter in 2011. He also spent three years as a founding member of the New York LGBT Center's Business Mentorship program for youth ages 13–22.

He holds an associate's degree from [Montgomery College](/org/montgomery-college) in Rockville, Maryland.

Adam Roth

Bill Freimuth serves as Chief Awards Officer for the Recording Academy®. Since 2004, he has worked diligently to maintain the integrity of the GRAMMY Awards® through his stewardship of the six-decade-old awards process.

Freimuth leads a 17-member team in handling the intake of more than 22,000 entries, including verifying their eligibility and genre sorting, and the balloting and nominations process to determine GRAMMY® Award recipients. He is responsible for overseeing more than 40 committees—comprised of up to 70 industry experts each—to ensure that recordings meet eligibility, category-placement, and nomination criteria. He co-produces the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony®, which presents more than 70 GRAMMY categories and is streamed live internationally. Freimuth is also responsible for managing all proposals for change related to the Awards process through the Awards & Nominations Committee.

Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Freimuth worked as a creative executive in the world of theater as the founding executive director of Los Angeles' Ovation Awards and as manager of New York's Big Apple Circus touring big top production.

He has a diploma from the Virginia Governor's School for the Gifted and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Bill Freimuth

Ray Starck serves as Vice President of Digital Strategy for the Recording Academy®. In his role, he leads the Editorial, Digital Media Production and the Product teams. He is also responsible for content strategy and website management.

Starck oversees the development of digital content strategies across the organization to drive engagement, retention, and channel optimization, leveraging data to advise his teams, all while supporting stakeholder initiatives. He ensures all branding initiatives carry a consistent message across channels, and creates a digital brand filter informed by the overarching brand strategy that translates successfully within the digital landscape.

Prior to joining the Academy, Starck served as the head of eCommerce & Digital Technology at Fiore Management, LCC, advising c-suite executives and consulting on product management, ecommerce and retail trends to deliver tactical analyses on digital transformation. Additional past roles include serving as the Vice President of Product Management for Fox Networks, where he was responsible for the Networks rollout of a Global TV-Everywhere strategy, mobile applications, internal and external platforms, new streaming products, and new technologies to all Fox’s O&O entertainment and sports websites, as well as Sr. Product Director for Yahoo! Media Group.

Starck is an Advisory Board Member at [Palomar College](/org/palomar-college) participating on the Digital Communication & Design Board of Directors to define course curriculum, technologies, platforms and direction of digital technologies. His focus as a board member is to provide students the opportunity to be better prepared for a digital world as well as provide help for students who are looking for changing their career and improving their opportunities for job placement in digital media. He also is an inventor on the US PATENT(s): US 2016/0050212 Al / 02/18/2016 - Method and Apparatus for Assigning Devices to a Media Service.

Ray Starck

David R. Sears serves as Vice President of Education for GRAMMY In The Schools® at the GRAMMY Museum®. In his role, Sears is responsible for the Museum's renowned GRAMMY Camp®, the Music Educator Award™, career-based education programs, and all regional and national education programs and initiatives.
He is responsible for creating a path to increase the scale of GRAMMY In The Schools educational activities by developing and implementing more robust online offerings throughout the year. He also works with internal and external entities to expand online education content and deliver it throughout the year.

Sears joined the Recording Academy® in 1994 as Senior Project Manager with the GRAMMY Foundation and has since held positions as Director of Education, Senior Director of Education and Executive Education Director. He has been integral in the development and successful implementation of the national education initiatives at the GRAMMY Museum, such as GRAMMY In The Schools, GRAMMY® Career Day, GRAMMY SoundChecks®, GRAMMY Camp, Music Educator Award, GRAMMY Signature Schools, GRAMMY Sessions, and more. He has held many positions in the music industry, such as professional musician, public high school music educator, music director, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, and more contributing to his multifaceted music background.

Sears is a lifetime voting member of the Recording Academy, a member of the College Music Society Career Development and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Advisory Committee of the Herb Alpert Music Center at Los Angeles City College, the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP), and the American Choral Directors Association. He is also a published contributor to the symposium Tanglewood II — Charting the Future and conceived the book of lesson plans Careers Through Music — Building Employable Skills In Your Music Class.

Sears did his undergraduate and graduate college studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

David R. Sears

Rex Supa serves as Vice President of Production & Event Operations for the Recording Academy®, overseeing telecast logistics, event management, financial management, creative development, ticketing, credentialing, venue relations, and municipal relations for the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Awards®. Supa also serves as a trusted partner and advisor to the Academy's affiliates — The Latin Recording Academy®, GRAMMY Museum® and MusiCares®.

In his role, he is tasked with overseeing the Production department for the Academy's telecast properties in addition to the Latin GRAMMY Awards®. Supa is responsible for the planning, management and execution of various special projects and productions for the Recording Academy and The Latin Recording Academy, including premier annual GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY Week events. He also leads many of the Academy's business development initiatives, including telecast ticket and suite sales.

Supa joined the Recording Academy as an intern in 2000 and has since held positions of Coordinator, Manager, Director, and Sr. Managing Director within the Recording Academy’s Production & Business Development department. Throughout his tenure he has developed and grown many signature productions, including Clive Davis' and Recording Academy’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala, the GRAMMY Celebration®, and The Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year Gala. He is also a founding member of the Academy's Diversity & Inclusion Staff Council.

Supa holds a Bachelor of Arts in radio, television and film with an emphasis in production management from California State University, Northridge.

Rex Supa

Lisa Farris is the Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for the Recording Academy®, overseeing the evolution of the organization's marketing, insights, research, and innovation that are reflective of the changes and growth in music and the Academy.

In collaboration with the Recording Academy's leadership team, Farris is responsible for building upon the history of the organization that support music creators, while accelerating the organization’s brand recognition. In her role, she is tasked with transforming and innovating audience experiences that support its members and engage music fans with purpose driven initiatives.

While keeping the Recording Academy attuned to the changing media landscape, under Farris' leadership the marketing and innovation team forges relationships with media and innovation partners to improve experiences across all brand touchpoints.

Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Farris served as chief digital & brand officer for MetricVision; co-founder of Get This, a technology that leveraged audio recognition to shop television and video entertainment; chief marketing officer for Move, Inc.; senior vice president of strategic marketing at Universal Music Group's eLabs; and vice president of strategic marketing & new media at MCA Records.

Lisa currently serves as EIR and mentor for entrepreneurship students at [Loyola Marymount University](/org/loyola-marymount-university).

Lisa Farris

Rick Engdahl serves as Chief Information Officer for the Recording Academy® and is responsible for overseeing all computer, networking, security, telecommunications, data operations, and software development for the Academy and its sub-brands—MusiCares® and the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)® along with The Latin Recording Academy®. Engdahl also manages technical operations for the remote production offices and event production during the telecasts for both the Recording Academy and The Latin Recording Academy.

For more than 30 years, Engdahl has been involved in various facets of the entertainment industry. He began his career training producers and directors on the budgeting and scheduling software process for film and television projects for major film studios. Engdahl also served six years as the director of information services for Walt Disney Company's film and television divisions, where he was responsible for the implementation and operation of all production and financial computer systems for their live-action feature film divisions, including Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, and Miramax. Most recently, Engdahl spent four years as the vice president of information technology at Sega Entertainment U.S.A., Inc, a North American entertainment/restaurant chain originally created by Steven Spielberg and Universal. During his tenure at Sega, he established centralized, real-time financial and gaming systems used for marketing trends and statistical analysis.

Engdahl holds a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics/computer science from UCLA.

Rick Engdahl

Lourdes Lopez Patton is the Vice President of Communications for the Recording Academy®, overseeing vision and execution of all aspects of strategic external communications, including media relations, public relations, corporate communications, and reputation management for the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Awards® and its affiliated entities—MusiCares® and the GRAMMY Museum®.

In collaboration with the Recording Academy's leadership team, Lopez Patton builds upon the foundational elements of the organization that support all music creators, while working to enhance and expand its media presence. As head of the communications department, she spearheads the overall communications strategy for the Recording Academy and her department is one of the key voices of the organization and all of its related entities. Additionally, Lopez Patton implements and executes strategic communications plans and promotions for the GRAMMY Awards and all GRAMMY Week initiatives. This includes managing all aspects of the red carpet and media center for the GRAMMY Awards—including design, budget, day-to-day operations, stakeholder satisfaction, volunteer coordination, and media placement—setting the gold standard for media events in the music industry. She is also responsible for leading public relations efforts for the Recording Academy's 12 Chapters nationwide, ensuring the Academy brand is authentically represented throughout various Chapter events and programs.

Lopez Patton has more than 24 years of experience working in the entertainment and consumer goods fields. Since 2002, and prior to her appointment as Vice President of Communications, Lopez Patton held the roles of Sr. Director, Director, Manager, and Coordinator within the Recording Academy's marketing communications department. She has overseen operations including marketing, event management, staffing, quality, financial control, and has managed public relations for national and international member and industry events, including for the Latin GRAMMY Awards®. 

She belongs to several professional member organizations, including the Public Relations Society of America, the Hispanic Public Relations Association, the Entertainment Professional Society, and Eventovation.

Lopez Patton is a native of Jalisco, Mexico, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with an emphasis on public relations and marketing from California State University, Northridge.

Lourdes Lopez Patton

Debbie Carroll, Vice President of MusiCares® Health & Human Services, is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing MusiCares’ programs and services nationally. Under her leadership, MusiCares has succeeded in substantially increasing their programs and services from 230 clients and $236,000 distributed in 1998 to approximately 8,600 clients and more than $6.5 million distributed in 2018. 10 years ago, Carroll was instrumental in launching MusiCares’ first Preventative Healthy Essentials Clinic. Since then, the program has expanded to over 300 annual events nationwide that address medical issues, dental and hearing health, addiction recovery services, and educational topics of interest to music people.

With nine years prior experience in the human services field, Carroll joined MusiCares in August of 1998, and worked in various capacities in the health care industry, ranging from hospital settings to private practice. During the course of her illustrious career, Carroll was instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Georgia.

She currently serves as chairman of ACM Lifting Lives as well as the Onsite Foundation Board of Directors and serves on the [Cumberland Heights](/org/cumberland-heights-foundation-inc) and Music Health Alliance Advisory Boards. She has been honored for the past five years with the Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music Business Award. Carroll has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, such as the Communication Service Award through the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center in 2015.

Carroll holds a master's degree in social work from the [University of Georgia](/org/university-of-georgia), and her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Debbie Carroll

Kelley Purcell serves as Vice President of Membership & Industry Relations for the Recording Academy®, overseeing all aspects of membership outreach, peer review, member account services, and the Academy's Chapter systems, including regional and local teams, Chapter events and programming, and all aspects of Chapter service.

Purcell joined the Recording Academy as the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chapter in 2013, then transitioned to Senior Director of Member Outreach, leading industry outreach efforts across the Membership & Industry Relations department. During her tenure, she project managed a cross-department team of IT, Digital Media and Communications colleagues over a two-year period and successfully implemented historic changes to the Academy’s membership systems. She also led the recruitment efforts to diversify Academy membership and was the liaison to the Academy’s first-ever Peer Review Panel, responsible for training this body and serving as its point person.

Prior to her time at the Recording Academy, she served as the executive director of Harvardwood, a global nonprofit organization for members of the [Harvard University](/org/harvard) community who believe in the purpose and power of the arts. During her time at Harvardwood, Purcell helped drive a 67 percent increase in the organization’s membership and coordinated the volunteer efforts of a global team. Purcell also has past roles at Island Def Jam Music Group, Monitor Deloitte and Goldstar.

Purcell has been recognized as an Exemplar of Humanity Centered Media at the 2016 Media Done Responsibly Awards and was honored at the 10th Annual Toast to Urban Entertainment Executives in 2017. In 2018, she was honored to take part in the American Express Women in Music Leadership Academy.

Purcell received a cum laude bachelor’s degree in economics at [Harvard University](/org/harvard).

Kelley Purcell

Daryl P. Friedman serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for the Recording Academy® overseeing the advocacy division responsible for championing creators’ rights and elevating important policy issues that stand to affect the music community. He also orchestrates cross-departmental efforts to advance the overall advocacy goals of the Recording Academy.

Friedman joined the Recording Academy in 1997, establishing the organization's Washington, D.C. office, which he has since grown from a sole member to a five-person team. During his tenure, he created and launched GRAMMYs on the Hill®, Washington's largest annual music advocacy program, as well as a number of programs to advance the rights of music creators through advocacy, education, and dialogue. Friedman also leads the charge on the Academy's annual District Advocate program—a nationwide grassroots effort that has become the largest music advocacy activation in the United States.

A music industry professional for more than 30 years, Friedman previously directed external affairs for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va.

Friedman was named Executive of the Year by the Washington Area Music Association in 2000 and currently serves on the boards of the National Music Council and Creative Community for Peace.

He received his master's degree in arts management from [American University](/org/american-university) in Washington, D.C., and his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Daryl P. Friedman

Michael Sticka serves as President of the GRAMMY Museum®. In his role, he is responsible for creating and executing the Museum's strategy of growth and sustainability as an independent nonprofit arts organization. Drawing on his strong belief in community and the necessity of arts for all, he established a Department of Community Engagement, empowered to create deep and impactful community partnerships throughout Los Angeles. In his first communication to the members of the Museum and to the public, Sticka launched his vision of the GRAMMY Museum as a world class cultural institution and industry leader of museums.

Sticka joined the Recording Academy® in March 2014 as Assistant Controller/Director of Accounting, after having consulted for the Academy's Business Affairs Department. He was later appointed Director of Finance and Administration for the GRAMMY Museum, where he successfully designed and oversaw a strategic planning process to evaluate and strategize for the future of the GRAMMY Foundation® and GRAMMY Museum as a combined entity.

Prior to joining the Academy, he spent a majority of his career as a consultant for nonprofit organizations and running a small, independent nonprofit theatre in Dayton, Ohio. He spent five years at [Blackbaud](/org/blackbaud), Inc., working as a financial and fundraising consultant for more than 200 nonprofits throughout North America.

After leaving [Blackbaud](/org/blackbaud), Sticka served as vice president of Strategic Leadership Associates in Dayton, a leadership and management consulting firm with a strong history and portfolio of improving organizations and their business practices.

During his time living in Dayton, Sticka focused much of his energy on his passion for theatre and the arts. He co-founded The Zoot Theatre Company in Dayton with a long-time friend and colleague. While executive director of Zoot, Sticka produced in-school performances for more than 100 schools throughout the region and worked with storied institutions, such as the Dayton Philharmonic, the Dayton Opera, the Human Race Theatre Company, the Victoria Theatre Association, and more.

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Dayton.

Michael Sticka

Laura Segura is the Executive Director of MusiCares®. She is responsible for leveraging relationships and networks that advance MusiCares' mission and works across private, public and corporate sectors to expand development and ensure quality programming.

In her role, Segura serves as the organization's spokesperson and senior representative, guiding MusiCares' efforts and increasing awareness of the foundation's role in serving the music community's needs. She works to improve and/or establish programs and services that enhance MusiCares' mission, as well as identify develop cooperative leadership initiatives that align with the organization's objectives. Segura cultivates and manages appropriate advocacy positions with like organizations and associations, the recording industry and government sector.

Segura previously served as Vice President of Membership & Industry Relations for the Recording Academy®. The organization has benefited from numerous initiatives led by her, including refreshed Chapter operations and evolved membership qualifications. In 2018, she worked closely with the Board of Trustees to reform the system into a peer recommendation and peer review model. She has also made significant enhancements to Chapter programming, genre-based outreach, and was instrumental in the Recording Academy's work with its Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.

Prior to joining the Academy, she led the global alliances department at the X Prize Foundation, where she oversaw membership fundraising programs and outreach events. She also served as the key relationships manager for partnering philanthropists, trustees, major gift members, corporations, and foundations. Before X Prize, she worked for Film Independent, a nonprofit membership organization best known for the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival. There, she cultivated the company's entertainment industry constituent base, including all levels of annual members and donors.

Segura studied communications, journalism, ethics and democracy at the [University of Notre Dame](/org/university-of-notre-dame), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She received a graduate certificate from [Harvard University](/org/harvard) in exponential fundraising.

Laura Segura

Rita George is Chief Operating Officer for the GRAMMY Museum®. In her role, George oversees day-to-day business and operations for the Museum and its 45 staff members in Los Angeles and leads new business development efforts, as well as, helps oversee the Mississippi and New Jersey locations. Additionally, George helps manage the Museum's budgets and finances and provides direct support to the Museum's Board of Directors.

During her tenure, George has managed the strategic planning and curatorial content development for more than 80 exhibits and off-site projects, including the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Okla., in 2012, the opening of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, Miss., in 2016, the GRAMMY Museum Gallery at Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., in 2016, the Ray Charles Memorial Library in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2017, and, most recently, the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in 2017.

Prior to joining the GRAMMY Museum, George served for 12 years as director of visitor services, security, and operations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

George graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Rita George

With more than 27 years of auditing, accounting, and financial reporting experience, Wayne Zahner currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Recording Academy®, NARAS Properties, Inc., and the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)®. He is responsible for and oversees all accounting, financial, legal, insurance, trademark, copyright, and facilities-related matters.

Zahner joined the Recording Academy as Controller in October 2001. He was promoted to Director of Business Affairs in December 2002 and appointed Chief Financial Officer in July 2004.

Prior to joining the Academy, he worked in management consulting with an emphasis on construction, cost accounting, and fraud prevention at Jefferson Wells International. Previously, Zahner was the manager of the internal audit department of [KB Home](/org/kb-home), one of the nation's largest residential homebuilders, where he planned and executed financial, internal control, construction inventory, mortgage servicing, and fraud audits. He also worked as an assistant controller and senior internal auditor for Ryland Homes; senior financial accountant with USF&G Insurance, preparing financial statements, SEC filings, and accounting research; and as a senior auditor with C.W. Amos & Company, LLC, a regional public accounting firm on the East Coast.

Zahner is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was honored as a finalist, for the second year in a row, in the nonprofit category in the 2008 Los Angeles Business Journal CFO of the Year Awards.

Zahner holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Joseph A. Sellinger, S.J. School of Business and Management at [Loyola University Maryland](/org/loyola-university-maryland).

Wayne Zahner

Hilary Fahlsing serves as the Vice President of Finance and Administration for the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum)®. She oversees the fiscal management of the Museum, including finance and accounting, legal, human resources, and insurance/risk management.

In her role, she is responsible for ensuring the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of the organization. She manages finance and accounting, legal, human resources, insurance, and IT for the Museum. She also serves as a staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors. Fahlsing joined the [GRAMMY Museum](/org/grammy-museum) in 2018 and has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit finance, administration and operations.

She began her career as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure upon learning of her mother-in-law's breast cancer diagnosis. During her tenure at Komen, Fahlsing transitioned from an unpaid volunteer to the director of operations for the Los Angeles County affiliate. She continued in the nonprofit sector at Toberman Neighborhood Center as chief financial officer, followed by the Hammer Museum as director of finance & human resources for nearly five years. She has consulted for other nonprofits and has helped organizations navigate significant change from growth to acquisition to other transformations.

Fahlsing holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and a MBA from [Loyola Marymount University](/org/loyola-marymount-university).

Hilary Fahlsing

Milcho

Elise Perry

Carlos Alvarez

Jessica Thompson

Jennifer Blakeman

Jennifer Hanson

Susan Marshall

Evan Bogart

J. Ivy

Matt Still

Tammy Hurt serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy®. In this role, she sits on the Audit/Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Planning/Governance Committee; and provides assistance as requested by the Chair.

An Independent music industry veteran, Hurt has been a driving force in Atlanta's music scene for decades and has served on the Board of the Recording Academy's Atlanta Chapter for 14 years. Hurt is the managing partner of Placement Music, a boutique entertainment firm specializing in custom music, scoring, and licensing, which was commissioned by FOX Sports for a second consecutive Super Bowl broadcast to create an original full orchestral score. Additional credits include [Paramount Pictures](/org/paramount-pictures), CBS, MTV, HBO, BET, Sony, Lifetime, Hallmark, NFL, NASCAR, "True Blood," "Dexter," "Drop Dead Diva," Mean Girls 2, and multiple custom placements in the indie film HITS, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.

Hurt's most recent project, Sonic Rebel - We Made This With Our Hands, is a five-song instrumental EP that is a mashup of electronic, rock, glitch, dub trap and hip hop elements, scheduled for release in fall 2020. Recorded at Big Trouble Recording in L5P Atlanta, the project features Dan Gleason and Ben Homola from Grouplove, engineer TJ Elias, multi-instrumentalist Kevin Spencer on guitar, and Hurt on the drums.

A co-founder of the nonprofit organization, Georgia Music Partners, Hurt spearheaded the campaign to create and pass Georgia's first standalone music tax incentive, the Georgia Music Investment Act. She is a recipient of Catalyst Magazine's Top 25 Entrepreneurs and Ones to Watch Award and is an openly LGBTQ Officer of the Recording Academy.

Tammy Hurt

Harvey Mason jr. serves as CEO of the Recording Academy®. He was originally named Interim President/CEO in January 2020 while serving as Chair of the Academy's Board of Trustees, and after a global search, was named permanent CEO in June 2021.

While serving in both positions, Mason has led a transformation of the Academy that has diversified its membership; revised rules and processes to make the GRAMMY Awards® more transparent, inclusive, and reflective of a wide variety of musical genres; enlarged its role as a service organization for music creators — particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic — and restructured the organization to position it for global growth and diversification. Mason is also the first Black CEO in the Academy's history. As CEO, Mason works closely with the Academy's Board of Trustees and senior management team, including its two new Co-Presidents, to advance the Academy's goals and mission. He also serves as CEO of MusiCares® and is on the boards of the GRAMMY Museum®, Latin Recording Academy®, and Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®.  Under his tenure as Interim President/CEO, in addition to the accomplishments noted above, the Academy launched a new Songwriters & Composers Wing and the Black Music Collective; hired its first-ever Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer; advocated effectively for music creators in Washington, D.C., for pandemic relief; and helped MusiCares COVID-19 Relief raise and distribute more than $24 million to music creators through the crisis.  Mason served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from June 2019 to May 2021. During that time, he chaired the Executive Committee, and was a member of each Standing Committee and, in an ex officio capacity, on every other committee established by the Board. He represented the Academy in all Academy business, events, and functions. Mason is also the founder of Harvey Mason Media and an accomplished songwriter and producer. He penned and produced songs for industry legends and today's biggest superstars. Everyone from Whitney Houston to Beyoncé, Elton John to Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin to Ariana Grande, Britney Spears to Camila Cabello, Luther Vandross to Justin Bieber, and Michael Jackson to Chris Brown has called on Mason to deliver uniquely musical, yet radio-friendly hit records. Simultaneously, Mason has been instrumental in producing memorable music for many of the biggest musical films and TV events from the past decade. His work in films includes Dreamgirls, the Pitch Perfect franchise, Shrek, SING, SING 2, Sparkle, and Straight Outta Compton. TV shows including "The Wiz Live!" and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert" also counted on Mason's musical talent and taste. Recently, Harvey Mason Media produced the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson for MGM. In 2012, Mason received the Spirit of Excellence Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation for his philanthropic efforts. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, the University of Arizona, where he was a standout basketball player on a team that went to the Final Four, and is on the board of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission. Mason also donates his time and resources to several charitable organizations, including Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society, and Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

The Recording Academy

Org chart

Teams

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

CEO and Executive Team

Founding Team

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