Academy Co-Pres. Butterfield Jones Back To Google
• Recording Academy co-President Valeisha Butterfield Jones announced she is leaving the organization after just over two years and will be returning to Google in October, this time as Vice President, Partnerships.
Butterfield Jones previously served as Global Head of Inclusion for Google, Inc., until May 2020, when she joined the Recording Academy as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. She was elevated to co-President alongside Panos Panay in June 2021.
As reported by Variety, and independently confirmed by RAMP, the Academy will continue to be led by CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. and Panay as President; the organization will not name an additional co-President at this time. Senior management that had previously reporting to Butterfield Jones will now report directly to Mason.
In a statement, Mason said, “This is a bittersweet moment for our Recording Academy family. We are all heartbroken that Valeisha is leaving us but also, so thankful for and proud of the incredible work she has done with us over the past two years. She has been the perfect partner and someone I feel truly lucky to have worked so closely with. She has made me a better CEO and definitely made our Academy a better organization. I’m deeply appreciative of all the contributions she’s made, the impact she’s had, and the example she has set for each one of us. While I know we are saddened to see her go, I’m excited to have someone from our music community, from our Academy family, doing big things and in such an impactful position. I look forward to seeing her soar in her next chapter and am confident that we will find ways to work together to positively impact the music industry and beyond.”
Butterfield Jones stated, “When I came to the Recording Academy over two years ago, I had a clear mission: to make the Recording Academy the most inclusive company in music, and the world. Diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords, and as an organization, we were committed to doing the work both publicly and privately, to drive real and meaningful change. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve this bold, new Recording Academy, and my service to our mission will continue in new and even more impactful ways. Working at the Recording Academy has been the opportunity of a lifetime and I am incredibly grateful to have worked alongside Harvey, Panos, the Board and the entire Academy staff during one of the most exciting and revolutionary times in the history of this change-making organization. We made significant impact together and I know I will carry these experiences with me as I embark on this exciting next professional chapter with Google.”
Melonie Parker, Google’s Chief Diversity Officer, remarked, “I’m thrilled Valeisha Butterfield Jones is returning to Google and joining my team as Vice President, Partnerships in October. Valeisha is a true leader in bringing people together as she’s done during her time at the Academy, and previously at Google, and she will play a critical role in our external partnerships and inclusion programs. I am thrilled for Valeisha’s return and for the indelible mark she’ll continue to make.” [Photo credit: Matt Winkelmeyer by Getty Images© 2021]
