Recording Academy Names Co-Presidents
• In a major executive reorganization, The Recording Academy has named Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay as Co-Presidents, effective August 16. The announcement was made today by Harvey Mason, Jr. (center), whose title will shift to CEO.
Butterfield Jones (right) and Panay (left) will join recently elevated Chief Operating Officer Branden Chapman and Chief Industry Officer Ruby Marchand as part of a modernized leadership team. This new structure is recognition that further progress and building of the organization requires exceptional leaders with different strengths and areas of focus to drive innovation and accountability. With the aim of better serving Recording Academy members and the music industry at-large, the team will work directly under Mason.
As Co-President, Butterfield Jones will continue to serve as the Academy’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer as she has since joining the organization in May 2020. Before that she was the Global Head of Inclusion for Google, Inc. Panay will serve as Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer and joins the Academy from Berklee College of Music, where he was SVP of Global Strategy and Innovation. Prior to Berklee, Panay was Founder & CEO of Sonicbids, leading the company for 13 years until after its successful acquisition in 2013. He started his career as a talent agent and VP at The Kurland Agency.
“The successful evolution of the Recording Academy is dependent on strong and innovative leaders, and I’m thrilled to elevate Valeisha and welcome Panos as Co-Presidents to help drive the Recording Academy’s continued transformation,” said Mason. “Both Valeisha and Panos are incredible leaders who have a proven record of progress, and together with the rest of the team, will continue to push the envelope at the Recording Academy and shape the organization to better serve, protect and celebrate the music community.” [Photo courtesy of The Recording Academy]
