Alternative Power 100 highlights women in the music business

Remember when just Billboard’s Power 100 was comprised of just 9% women in 2016? With nothing but white faces appearing within the Top 30?

This year’s list told the same, stale story.

Just 14 women were included in Billboard’s 2017 Power 100 — 9% of the featured 153 names, with only half listed alone.

The first person of color appeared at No.28 – Warner/Chappell boss Jon Platt.

Female music industry network She Said So has had enough. The group has just created its own Alternative Power 100, compiled by its 1,700-strong network of female industry execs worldwide.

The list, revealed today in celebration of International Women’s Day, proves there are a wealth of women making a difference in the music business – you just have to know where to find them.

“The Alternative Power 100 is yet another vehicle which we continue to raise awareness of women involved in the music industry (yes, we are still at that stage), spark debate and ultimately create change.”

Andreea Magdalina, she said so

It also includes high-achieving executives from the LGBT community and from other backgrounds.

She Said So Founder Andreea Magdalina said: “The Alternative Power 100 is yet another vehicle which we continue to raise awareness of women involved in the music industry (yes, we are still at that stage), spark debate and ultimately create change.”

The SheSaid So list is intended as a symbolic gesture, said Magdalina, and ‘is by no means an accurate reflection of professional achievements or a hierarchical index supported by scholastic research and/or a substantial amount of nominations’.

She added: “It is, nevertheless, our attempt at highlighting the work of our members and their extended networks which often gets overlooked due to market saturation.

“It is our opportunity to showcase non-traditional companies, career paths and levels of success that reject unilateral thinking.

“It is our privilege to express what diversity and representation mean to us, inclusive of mainstream selections and unconventional subcultures alike.

“It is also a chance to reflect and learn about our own shortcomings in an effort to devise solutions that further our objectives beyond gender.”

Amongst those nominated are WIN CEO Alison Wenham, hit songwriter Carla Marie Williams, SVP at Because Music, Jane Third and Beats 1 Presenter Julie Adenuga (pictured above, L-R). 

Also appearing on the list are Director at Downtown Records, Emily Williams, Head of Digital at Communion Music, Claire Mas, UMPG CEO Jody Gerson, VP of Goldenvoice, Lesley Olenik Galindo and MD of Glassnote Records UK, Liz Goodwin.

You’ll find the full list below.


Adriana Arce  |  Artist Manager, Maverick

Alison Wenham  |  CEO, Worldwide Independent Network (WIN)

Ana Passaseo  |  VP of Finance, Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Andreea Magdalina  |  Founder,  shesaid.so

Ann Harrison  |  Author, Music Business

Anna Hildur  |  Programme Director, Nordic Music Export

Anna Meacham  |  International Head of Music and Entertainment, Purple Entertainment

Annie Mac  |  DJ

Ashley Mak  |  Global Event Producer, Boiler Room

Bjork  |  Artist

Brontë Jane  |  A&R , Third Side Music

Cameo Carlson  |  President, mTheory Nashville

Carla Marie Williams  |  Songwriter and Founder, Girls I Rate

Catherine Manners  |  Founder & Director, Manners McDade

Cathy Bauer  |  Head of Domestic Sales, Secretly Distribution

Cherie Hu  |  Media & Entertainment Contributor, Forbes

Claire Mas  |  Head of Digital, Communion Music

Clare Scivier  |  Music Coach, Clarey Sage

Dee Adam  |  Miss, Dee Adam at Ferocious Talent

DJ Paulette  |  DJ, Radio Presenter, Journalist

Elizabeth Garo  |  VP of Talent

Ellen Koehlings  |  Editor in Chief, Riddim Magazine

Emily Williams  |  Director, Downtown Records

Emma Birkett  | Artist Manager, One Little Indian

Eric Mackay |  VP Digital, EMEA & APAC, Warner Chappell

Erykah Badu  |  Artist

Frances Shelley  |  Composer

Francisca Goncalves  |  Creative Licensing Manager, Globe (Universal Music)

Francisca Valenzuela  |  Founder + Musician, Ruidosa Festival

Gabrielle Cawthorne  |  International Director, Warner Music UK

Georgia Taglietti  |  Head of Communication, International Media & PR, Sonar Festival

Gina Tucci  |  Head of A&R, Big Beat Records

Grace Jones  |  Artist

Grace LaDoja  |  Artist Manager

Harriet Jordan-Wrench  |  CEO and Founder, Secret Sessions

Harriet Moss  |  Global Creative Manager / London Director, Manners McDade / shesaid.so

Heather Mundinger |  Creative Licensing Assistance, Downtown Records

Helen Barass  |  Marketing Manager, Kobalt Music Recordings

Hugo van Heijningen  |  Founding Member, Red Light Radio

Jane Beese  |  Head of Music, RoundHouse

Jane Third  |  SVP, Because Music

Jen Lyon  |  Founder / Co-Owner, Mean Red Productions / Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival

Jen Pearce |  SVP, Licensing & Strategic Marketing, Downtown Records / Immortal Music Publishing

Jessi Lumbroso  |  A&R manager, FIRST MATCH

Jo Dipple  |  CEO, UK Music

Jody Gerson  |  CEO, UMPG

Judy Miller  |  President Publicist, Motormouth Media

Julia Willinger  |  SVP A&R, Mom + Pop

Julie Adenuga  |  Presenter, Beats1

Karen Emanuel  |  Founder, Key Production Group

Karma Bertelsen  |  Marketing Manager, Kilimanjaro Live

Kate Moross  |  Director, Studio Moross.Com

Kathryn Frazier  |  Owner/CEO, Biz3

Kelly Chappel  |  VP Touring, Europe, Live Nation

Kerry Fierro  |  Founder, Girl Power!

Kieran Yates  |  Journalist

Lara Baker  |  Director of Marketing and Events, AIM

Laura Escude |  CEO/Founder, Electronic Creatives

Laurence Mulle  |  Artist Manager, Snoot

Lesley Olenik Galindo  |  VP, Goldenvoice

Livia Tortella  |  CEO, Black Box

Liz Goodwin  | MD, Glassnote Records UK

Louisa Rainbird  |  Creative Manager, Television, Music Sales

Lucy Blair  |  Director of International Sales & Marketing, The Orchard

Lulu Simone  |  Founder, SoulsinAction

Margi Cheske  |  President, Concord Label Group

Maria Castellon  |  Marketing Specialist

Marni Wandner  |  President and Founder, Sneak Attack Media

Martine Carlson  |  Manager, Creative Licensing, Downtown Records

Meg Harkins  |  SVP of Marketing, Roc Nation

Michelle Garramone  |  Artist Management & Consulting, MG Entertainment Group

Michelle Golden  |  Founder, ProjectNextUp

Molly Neuman  |  Head of Music, Kickstarter

Monique Wallace  |  Head of Publicity, Worldwide Friendly Society

Morgan Thoryk  |  Music Producer, Media Arts Lab

Naomi Palmer  |  Founder & Senior Agent, Earth Agency

Nikki Sherrod  |  Senior VP Of Music, Warner Bros.

Nikoo Sadr  |  Interactive Marketing Manager, The Orchard

Olivia Nunn  |  Marketing Manager, Island Records

Patti Silverman  |  Connector, Advisor, Speaker, Consultant, Advisor,  SF Music Tech & SXSW

Paul Benney  |  Founder, DUMMY Mag

Portia Sabin  |  President, Kill Rock Stars

Rachel Menzies  |  Music Supervisor / Founding Director, Native Music Supervision / Hookline LTD

Ramya Velury  |  Brand Management, Downtown Record

Rebecca Sahim  |  A&R/ Head of Publishing, Maverick

Rhian Jones  |  Journalist

Rochelle King  |  VP Product Design & Insights, Spotify

Safiya Lambie Knight  |   Artist and Talent manager, VEVO

Sammy Andrews  |  Director, Deviate Digital

Sarah Anderson  |  Financial Controller/ Advisor, Boiler Room / shesaid.so

Sarah Maria Elvira  |  Label Manager, Music Editor, Producer, A&R

Seb Weller  |  Founder and CEO, WMA

Stacey Tang  |  General Manager Columbia Records UK, Sony Music

Susan Brazer  |  CEO, LionShare Media

Tabitha Thorlu-Bangura  |  Production + Partnerships, NTS Radio

Tanyel Vahdettin  |  Founder, Eleven Management

Tiffany Yu  |  VP of Digital Innovation, Three Six Zero

Tiger Reid  |  International Product Manager, Beggars Group

Troy Carter  |  Head of Music, Spotify

Ty Stiklorius  |  Artist Manager, Founder/CEO, Friends at Work

Vanessa Reed  |  CEO, PRS Foundation

Viki Sinden  |  Deputy Editor, The Bunker Publishing / Upset Magazine / Dork Magazin

Wendy Carlos  |  Composer

Yvette Noel-Schure  |  Publicist and Founder,  Schure Media Group

Music Business Worldwide