RIAA BOARD GROWS, GETS MORE DIVERSE

Nine new members—seven of them women—have been added to the RIAA Board of Directors, announced on Tuesday (2/26). The Board now numbers 25, up from 20, while the gender split is 14 men and 11 women, compared to 14 males and just four females in the previous lineup.

The new board members are RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne, Alisa Coleman (ABKCO), Camille Hackney (Atlantic), Rani Hancock (Sire), Sheldra Khahaifa (Sony), Annie Lee (IGA) and Gabriela Martinez (Warner Music Latina)., as well the org’s new, diversity-conscious head, Mitch Glazier, and Victor Gonzalez (UMLE).

They join incumbents Michele Anthony (UMG), Glen Barros (Concord), Eric Berman (UMG), David Bither (Nonesuch), Ken Bunt (Disney), John Esposito (Warner Music Nashville), Jeff Harleston (UMG), Terry Hemmings (Provident Music Group), Kevin Kelleher (Sony), Dennis Kooker (Sony), Deirdre McDonald (Sony), Paul Robinson (WMG), Portia Sabin (Kill Rock Stars), Tom Silverman (Tommy Boy), Julie Swidler (Sony) and Will Tanous (UMG).

“As we advocate for a music ecosystem that respects artists and fans, we are fortunate to have talented leaders on our board from a variety of labels, representing a broad spectrum of genres and geographies,” Glazier stated for the record. “These executives will ensure RIAA is at the forefront as the industry continues to innovate and protect the music that inspires us all, keeping the dream alive for the next generation of music creators.”

The Board will be constituted as such for the next four years.