CMA Announces New Class Of Women’s Leadership Academy
CMA Women’s Leadership Academy Class of 2026. Photo credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA
The Country Music Association has welcomed the newest class of participants into its Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA).
Now in its fifth year, the program has expanded beyond professional development into an ongoing network of women continuing to drive and shape the music business. As interest in the academy continues to grow, a record number of women applied for this year’s cohort, reflecting the depth of leadership talent across the country music industry. The academy kicked off with an opening reception yesterday, August 2, at The Chloe Nashville, where Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, and Tiffany Kerns, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Philanthropy, delivered opening remarks. The first official session follows today, August 3.
Over the next 12 weeks, the program will guide 16 women through weekly group coaching, peer connection, and hands-on leadership training. Beyond learning directly from executive coaches and industry mentors, participants join a growing community of program alumni who continue supporting one another well beyond the program’s conclusion.
“Every new class of the Women’s Leadership Academy reminds me how much talent and heart exist in this industry,” says Kerns. “This program was built to outlast its 12 weeks. The relationships, confidence and perspective these women gain stay with them well beyond the program. Watching this cohort step into the program with such openness and ambition has been inspiring, and I know they’ll carry that same spirit forward as they help define what’s next for our business.”
The new class of CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy includes:
Elisabeth Ashley (Manager)
Kelly Bolton (Vice President, A&R, Warner Records)
Victoria Cappelli Greiner (Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Global Touring, AEG Presents)
Annie Flook (Vice President, Artist Relations, AXS)
Hannah Galluzzi (Vice President, A&R, MCA)
Claire Heinichen (Senior Editor, Country, Spotify)
Lindsay Hyslop (Director of Recorded Music, Canada, BMG)
Lucia Kaminsky (President, The Sandbox)
Marne McLyman (Manager, Maverick Nashville)
Kelsey Middleton (Head of Marketing & Digital Strategy, TRACK mgmt)
Amanda Quinton (President, Quinton Digital)
Alexis Rosenberg (Head of External Relations, WME)
Jamie Sudhalter (Head of A&R, The Core Entertainment)
Randi Tolbert (Senior Artist Manager, Q Prime South)
Margaret Tomlin (Vice President, A&R, Sony Music Nashville)
Jamie Lynn Younger (Vice President, Marketing, Big Loud)
To kick things off, WLA participants will set intentional personal and professional goals that will anchor their experience throughout the program. From there, cohort members will join facilitated group sessions led by executive coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting, both known for their dedication to advancing women leaders and their expertise in leadership development. The curriculum blends practical skill-building with personal growth, exploring topics like personal branding, career advancement, conflict management, negotiation, self-advocacy, influence, and confidence, helping participants lead with greater clarity, impact, and resilience.
As part of the program’s fifth anniversary, CMA is also formally launching the WLA Alumni Network, bringing together nearly 80 WLA participants from across all five cohorts in a dedicated community that extends the program’s impact well beyond the 12-week curriculum. Designed to foster continued mentorship, collaboration and professional development, the network will provide ongoing opportunities for alumni to connect, learn and support one another as they continue strengthening the country music industry.
