A2IM Reveals Its 2025 Rising 20
• In celebration of its 20th anniversary, A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music) proudly announces the 2025 honorees for its Rising 20: Indie Music Leaders program. Selected from across A2IM’s diverse membership of over 700 independently owned labels and companies, these individuals represent the next generation of executives, future label heads, board members, and C-suite leaders who are innovating behind the scenes and redefining what leadership looks like in independent music.
“Rising 20 is our way of spotlighting the next generation of independent music leaders,” said Dr. Richard James Burgess, MBE, President & CEO of A2IM. “These emerging executives, innovators, and changemakers are not just shaping the future — they’re actively transforming our industry today. We’re proud to honor their achievements and amplify their voices within the A2IM community and across the global music ecosystem.”
Now, let’s meet your 2025 A2IM Rising 20: Katrina Balcius, Head of Enterprise, DISCO • Henry Cutting, Head of Business Development, Rise • Sarah Davis, Director, Global Client Services & In-House Forensic Musicologist, Downtown Music Publishing • Vivienne Engels, A&R, Creative Commissioner, Campaign Lead, Lex Records • Pam Garavano-Coolbaugh, Head of U.S. Product Management, Beggars Group • Darlene Hall, Director, Distribution, Create Music Group • Daniel Iammatteo, Director, Digital Marketing & Commercial Partnerships, Reservoir • Syd Kim, Sr. Director, Creative Marketing, Red Bull Records • Kevin Lazaroff,Distribution & Brand Partnership Lead, Amuse • Kelley Lin, Label Manager, True Panther • Jamie MacRae, VP, Business Development, Materia Music, Inc. • Charlie Painter, Head of Label Development, Redeye • Cory Popovich, VP of Marketing, Nettwerk Music Group • Brianna Schwartz, Co-Founding Partner, Schwartz & Schreiber, PLLC • Carly Starr, VP of Marketing, Sub Pop Records • Anthony Stewart, Head of Operations, AudioSalad • Pavan Vasdev, Sr. Director, Strategy & Growth, Merlin • Nonafaye Williams, Sr. Director of Product Management, Marketing, Hopeless Records • Micki Windham, Director of Physical Sales, Thirty Tigers • Carolina (Lina) Yanson, Sr. Digital Account Manager NORAM, Secretly Distribution.
Complete details about Rising 20 honorees are available HERE.
