Over the last decade, LGBTQ+ music fans have seen representation among popular artists steadily rise to new heights. At the same time, queer professionals have become more visibly integral to the music business — and have helped many of these talents achieve their massive accomplishments. Across all sectors of the industry, these 30 executives are working to create a more diverse, more equitable future for music’s LGBTQ+ community.
Executive of the Year
DAVID FURNISH
CEO
■ Rocket Entertainment
Chairman
■ Elton John AIDS Foundation
BY STEPHEN DAW
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JACK ALEXANDER
David Furnish felt a rush of endorphins wash over him. It was a warm June evening in 2023, and the surging crowd of over 120,000 had gathered to witness the first-ever Glastonbury Festival set — and, at least for the time being, the last public concert in the United Kingdom — by Elton John. That crush of concertgoers was screaming for Furnish’s star client — who also happens to be his husband.
“Even the concession stands in the back closed down so that they could watch the show,” Furnish recalls, still flabbergasted nearly a year later. “The crowd just filled in around the stands and along the entire north barrier. It was a sea of joy.”
The performance would break records for the annual festival: Along with that in-person crowd, John’s performance garnered 7.3 million overnight viewers on BBC One, making it the most-watched Glastonbury set in history. And if not for Furnish, it never would have happened.
Oscar Del Aguila for Billboard
Mary Allen
Agent
◾ UTA
UTA was a 2023 recipient of the Equality 100 Award, marking its perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, a national evaluation of corporate policies, practices and benefits related to LGBTQ+ employees. (Only 595 businesses across all U.S. industries received such a score.) “This recognition highlights UTA’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace environment,” Allen says, “and makes me proud to be part of such a supportive organization.” This company culture helped set the stage for the achievements of superstar clients including Karol G, Lil Nas X and Burna Boy.
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Thriving.”
Laura Godwin
Annie Brinn
Senior vp of publishing, licensing and royalties administration
◾ Warner Music Group
In 2022, WMG launched Mentoring Remixed, a program that connects junior employees from traditionally marginalized communities — including LGBTQ+ people — with senior executives for learning opportunities. “Due to the great success of its inaugural cohort in 2022-2023,” Brinn says, “WMG expanded the program to offer a second cohort in the Americas.” Still, Brinn notes, “despite our collective efforts, legislative measures have become a formidable barrier,” referring to the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the United States. “It is imperative to advocate for increased LGBTQ+ representation and cultivate allies in positions of legislative power to halt the enactment of discriminatory laws targeting our community.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Unapologetic.”
Courtesy of James Costas-Michael
James Costas-Michael
Senior director of creative strategy
◾ Fame House, a division of Universal Music Group
Costas-Michael works on projects across the UMG spectrum, which in the past year have included e-commerce for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS rollout for Geffen and working on Karol G’s e-commerce strategy alongside Interscope during the Colombian sensation’s U.S. stadium tour. “It has been so rewarding to be able to really lean into her creative identity as an artist,” Costas-Michael says of Rodrigo, adding of the Karol G campaign: “Witnessing the strong connection she has with her fans and our team being able to amplify that through merchandise and authentic storytelling has been really fulfilling.”
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“Within the music business, the main challenge I see is a lack of sufficient LGBTQ+ representation across all levels, especially in executive positions.”
Courtesy of Sam Duboff
Sam Duboff
Global head of Spotify for Artists, marketing and policy
■ Spotify
If you’re an artist receiving royalty checks from Spotify, Duboff is the one writing them. In his role at the company, Duboff and his team were key in crafting Spotify’s new payment policies, which are meant to “modernize our royalty system … [and] drive an additional $1 billion to emerging and professional artists over the next five years,” he says. His team oversees the rollout of analytics, marketing, video and merchandising tools on Spotify for Artists that help performers reach more fans. It’s working, Duboff says: Since 2017, the number of artists earning at least $10,000 on Spotify each year has more than tripled, to 66,000 in 2023.
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Determined.”
Aubrey Wise for BMI
Andie Fanno
Senior attorney, legal
■ BMI
In addition to news that the rights management company’s previous owners will disburse a $100 million bonus to songwriters and publishers following its sale to New Mountain Capital in February, BMI is expanding its customer service with a new call center and an online dashboard to track royalties. “For the first time, our affiliates have a fully interactive view of their royalty statements, giving easier access and more comprehensive details for a more intuitive, user-friendly experience,” Fanno says of the dashboard. “I’m looking forward to seeing future phases of this initiative rollout to better serve and support our incredible roster.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving freedom and equality.”
Anna Marie Tendler
Amanda Ferri
Vp of marketing
■ DistroKid
As direct-to-consumer models continue to revolutionize the music industry, Ferri says she’s proud to have played a part in their rise. She notes DistroKid’s acquisition of Bandzoogle, a leading website builder for musicians, as one of her proudest recent achievements. “They’ve been empowering indie musicians for many years now and giving musicians 100% of their earnings,” she says. “Their culture has been a great fit with DistroKid.” From Taylor Swift’s pursuit of ownership of her back catalog to Tommy Richman’s seismic Billboard Hot 100 debut as an independent artist with “Million Dollar Baby,” Ferri says that agency reigns supreme in the industry, and she’s proud to play her part.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The next frontier is the battle against transphobia. We need to establish and defend the rights of our trans community.”
David Furnish
CEO
■ Rocket Entertainment
Chairman
■ Elton John AIDS Foundation
Hunter Berry
Allie Galyon
Music agent
■ WME
Last year, Galyon and her WME colleagues helped coordinate Love Rising, the benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (featuring artists such as Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow and Hozier) that raised over $500,000 for LGBTQ+ causes in Tennessee following the governor’s signing of the so-called drag ban bill. Galyon, who is also on the talent agency’s LGBTQ+ board, is especially excited about what the company has coming up. “WME is launching new surrogacy and adoption benefits that LGBTQ+ folks at our company can take advantage of,” she says. “It feels good to know we’re being supported in all areas of our lives.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Pioneering.”
Courtesy of Wasserman Music
Eli Gelernter
Agent
■ Wasserman Music
With a passion for helping artists make meaningful connections with fans, Gelernter has spent the year confirming Wasserman talent for this summer’s Pride events. Not only are Natasha Bedingfield and FLO set to headline Chicago and Toronto Pride, respectively, but Slayyyter is on the docket for 10 different Pride celebrations, while nine artists on Gelernter’s roster performed at the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride June 1-2 in Los Angeles. “Seeing it all come to life,” Gelernter says, “is the best part of my job.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Thriving.”
Shervin Lainez
Lauren ‘Glucky’ Glucksman
Pop artist relations
■ Apple Music
In 2023, Apple Music expanded its PROUD Radio franchise to have genre-specific programming across the tech giant’s three radio stations — Apple Music 1, Apple Music Country and Apple Music Hits — with the intention of creating “a multitude of spaces for deeply thoughtful and joyful conversations [with] the most exciting artists from across the spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community,” Glucksman says. With music and interviews from artists like Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and G Flip, the shows’ respective hosts, Hunter Kelly, Hattie Collins and MNEK, invite the songwriters to tell their stories and build a community over the airwaves.
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Stunning!”
Jonathan Weiner
Andrew Ludwick
Vp of business development, digital
■ Warner Chappell Music
In his role at WCM, Ludwick is excited about integrating artificial intelligence into the major publisher’s business. “I am optimistic about my management’s bullishness and aptitude on AI and grateful to have a seat at the table for strategy and policy meetings at the corporate level,” he says. He’s also optimistic about LGBTQ+ rights, despite the current challenge his community faces: “Wherever I go, I find most people are well-meaning and want to be an ally,” he says. “My hope is that we treat everyone with a little more grace and dignity as the world changes.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Auspicious.”
Andrew Fennell
Amanda Martino
Director of international commercial strategy
◾ Sony Music Entertainment
Martino was part of the team that helped Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” become a smash hit, ending 2023 as the No. 2 track on the year-end Hot 100 Songs chart and the No. 1 title on the year-end Billboard Global 200. The executive also helped deliver a Billboard 200 No. 1 for blink-182’s comeback release, One More Time, in October, as well as Hozier’s first-ever Hot 100 chart-topper, “Too Sweet,” which also ruled the Billboard Global 200. “It’s a privilege to help lead the international commercial strategy for a diverse roster of artists across Sony Music,” Martino says.
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Relentless.”
Josh Mulder
Avery McTaggart
Managing partner
◾ TBA Agency
Along with internal expansions of TBA’s branding and partnerships divisions, McTaggart is proudest of its ever-growing roster. Spurring growth from clients like the band Rawayana and Faye Webster in 2024, McTaggart additionally points to TBA’s growing LGBTQ+ roster, citing fast-rising acts like Remi Wolf, Adrianne Lenker and salute as examples of the agency’s commitment to fostering change. “We need to remain focused on not only uplifting the voices and art made by our LGBTQ+ artists,” he says, “but equally need to invest in making sure there are more spaces within the music business for LGBTQ+ people to thrive.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Involved.”
Austin Neil
Sara Mertz
Vp of music partnerships for venues
◾ Tixr
With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Tixr has processed over $1 billion in transactions through its platform built for unified commerce and sales beyond tickets. As of 2024, the ticketing platform — which offers features from personalized seat maps to in-app merchandise and food and beverage integration — has grown to power over 500 live-entertainment brands in 40 countries. “Tixr’s growth has been exponential,” Mertz says. “As we continue to release new products that dramatically increase our partners’ revenue over time, we have continued to fulfill our mission of going beyond ticketing.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“As a former resident of the Bay Area, I’m a big fan of NCLR [National Center for Lesbian Rights] — not just for what they do for the LGBTQ+ community but also for women’s empowerment.”
Courtesy of SoundCloud
Allison Moore
Head of content strategy and operations
◾ SoundCloud
Since helping launch SoundCloud’s First Fans project in 2023, which surfaces new music to listeners most likely to enjoy it to avoid what she calls the “zero-play problem,” Moore is proud of having given “millions of artists a better chance” to get their music heard. Behind the scenes, she has a similar mission: “The workplace is still challenging for folks in the LGBTQIA+ community as an underrepresented group. We need mentorship and support from leaders in the music business and beyond. We need safe spaces for sharing and listening.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Vibrant.”
Lee Malone
Anna Neville
Global co-president/COO
◾ TaP Music
Neville describes the LGBTQ+ community as “resilient,” and the word also applies to TaP’s star-studded roster — especially Lana Del Rey, whom Neville praises for achieving her biggest year to date for her recorded music following the March 2023 release of her Grammy Award-nominated ninth album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. In April, Del Rey continued to celebrate its success with a headlining Coachella set. “We wanted to show the depths of Lana’s influence on contemporary music,” Neville says, “and I think we’ve achieved that.”
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The rise of totalitarianism and right-wing politics across the world. I’m hoping the U.S. and the U.K. go against the tide in this year’s elections.”
Courtesy of Oak View Group
Jeff Nickler
Senior vp
■ Oak View Group/Moody Center
Venue developer and operator Oak View Group continues to lead the live industry with 10 new arenas either opened in the last 18 months or under development. Austin’s Moody Center, which Nickler describes as “one of the company’s most successful ventures,” celebrated its second anniversary in April and has landed in the top three of the year-end Boxscore chart of top venues with capacities of 10,001 to 15,000 in 2022 and 2023. Since opening, Nickler adds, “the 15,000-seat arena in Austin has emerged as one of the busiest in the world, with over 300 events and $250 million in concert ticket sales.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“The Trevor Project provides valuable resources, support, counseling and 24/7 crisis services to this marginalized group.”
Matt Cooke
Alex Robertson Nutton
Senior label relations manager
■ Amazon Music
“Championing emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists is a core part of Amazon’s DNA,” Nutton says. From “commissioning new music from the likes of Sam Smith” (in 2023, Smith covered Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” exclusively for Amazon Music) to working with George Michael Entertainment “to reintroduce their music to a new generation of queer audiences” (a campaign that Nutton devised and executed), Pride initiatives at Amazon Music extend well beyond the month of June, helping to boost contemporary and legacy LGBTQ+ artists.
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“Stonewall [is] one of the largest LGBTQ+ rights charities in the U.K. who have played a pivotal role in driving transformative changes for the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Their campaigns have influenced public attitudes and changed public policy.”
Levi Clancy
Dani Oliva
Founder/owner
■ Oliva Law Group
Festivals and high-profile tours are valuable opportunities for rising artists, and Oliva is all about snagging spots for his roster at Venice Music — his client at Oliva Law Group following a 2023 restructuring. In the past year, Oliva helped guitarist Vixen land gigs with both Halsey’s Love and Power tour and Hatsune Miku’s 2024 Coachella set. Another one of his “proudest accomplishments” was helping indie pop artist Maiah Manser sign to Arista Records, an example of his commitment to ensuring ascendant stars hit their stride and feel protected in every facet of the music business.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The number of anti-trans bills considered across the U.S. has broken records for four consecutive years. It’s terrifying.”
Karina Prieto Macias/iHeartMedia
Don Parker
Senior vp of programming, San Francisco
GM, PRIDE Radio
◾ iHeartRadio
As Parker puts it, the recent upticks in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and attacks on the trans community across the United States have made it “more important than ever” to ensure that the community has trustworthy news sources — hence the creation of the company’s PRIDE Radio News Update feature. The platform now highlights relevant news and developments to empower listeners with knowledge and inform them about ways to act, expanding on iHeartRadio’s reputation as a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle brand.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the normalization of hate and discrimination that follows. When leaders of state and local governments come out against the LGBTQ+ community, in some cases vehemently, it validates negative perceptions some may have against our community.”
Mario Alzate
Henry Quintero
Latin tour buyer
◾ Live Nation
Live Nation’s global touring team and roster of Latin tours keep expanding, in line with the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. “We continue focusing on developing new and established Latin artists into successful touring acts within the U.S.,” says Quintero, whose purview includes promotion of sold-out shows for artists such as Danny Ocean, Kany García, Myke Towers, Juanes and Eladio Carrión.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The use of recreational substances is a big issue that continues to grow in this community. I hope we can work toward rehabilitation and reform for those suffering from addiction.”
J. Scaramazzo
Ed Razzano
Senior vp of administration services, Songwize
◾ ASCAP
Razzano is proud that ASCAP reported record revenue of $1.7 billion in 2023, but he calls another accomplishment “especially important to me”: the formation at ASCAP of an LGBTQ+ group called Syncopation. “Its mission is to create a safe space where members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies can belong, not just fit in,” he says, “empowering all to bring their full authentic selves to ASCAP and to their work on behalf of our members.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“[Among others is] the HRC [Human Rights Campaign] — because, as its name suggests, it supports all human rights.”
Timothy Norris/Getty Images
Adam Roth
Executive vp of global partnerships and business development
◾ Recording Academy
LGBTQ+ artists made a strong showing in the 66th annual Grammy Award nominations, with Victoria Monét and Phoebe Bridgers each receiving seven nods and such wide-ranging artists as Brandy Clark, Allison Russell, Romy and Troye Sivan also being recognized. In addition, the academy launched Academy Proud, which “shines a spotlight throughout the year on the queer community,” Roth says. “One of the Recording Academy’s proudest moments was launching Grammy House, which provided programming, panels and performances geared toward the next generation of music creators and executives.”
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“While the academy has seen great progress in the recognition of LGBTQ+ artists, representation in the music industry is more crucial than ever.”
Courtesy of Scott Seviour
Scott Seviour
Chief marketing officer
◾ gamma.
The media company — which creates, distributes and markets content ranging from music to podcasts — launched in 2023 and quickly partnered with stars such as Snoop Dogg and Usher. Gamma. “had such a dynamic and prolific inception, and I’m so proud that the brand has instant recognition and gravitas within the industry,” Seviour says of the Los Angeles-based venture, which acquired distribution platform Vydia in 2022. “We’re blessed with illustrious partnerships, have an amazing, dedicated team and we’re making an impact on culture.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Besieged.”
Keavy Handley-Byrne
Alice Simmons
Senior director of business and legal affairs
◾ Concord
As a member of Concord’s mergers and acquisitions team, Simmons is proud to have seen the company expand its holdings and begin managing iconic catalogs for acts including Céline Dion, Carrie Underwood and KISS through the acquisitions of Mojo Music & Media and the Round Hill Music Royalty Fund in 2023. With a shared goal to “protect the legacy” of Concord’s newly acquired catalogs, Simmons emphasizes she’s “proud to work with a team that treats these works with the same respect and attention shown to our artists and songwriters.”
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“The industry is long overdue for a reckoning with the inequities that have forced [LGBTQ+ artists and artists of color] to see the historical roots they planted erased from our collective history.”
TikTok
Darina Smethurst-Connolly
Head of music partnerships, U.K. and Ireland
◾ TikTok
In April, TikTok Pride’s European Union/U.K. group unveiled the Trans+ History Week initiative, a series that Smethurst-Connolly says had two goals: “educating and inspiring staff on the trans+ history lesson we never had,” while also “providing insights on how to be a powerful ally in the workplace.” Efforts like this are crucial — “two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months,” Smethurst-Connolly says. “We need to work as allies to address the huge barriers trans people in the U.K. face.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
“Mermaids, an incredible U.K. charity that supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people and their families.”
Courtesy of CAA
Dustin Turner
Music marketing executive
■ CAA
CAA client Kelsea Ballerini hit a career milestone in November when the country star headlined Thompson-Boling Arena in her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. “The show sold out almost instantly, and to be there with 15,000 people was a special night,” Turner says. Maren Morris’ series of intimate club shows with a portion of the ticket sales going to GLAAD was also a highlight for Turner, as well as announcing Little Big Town’s 25th-anniversary tour, which starts in October with special guest Sugarland. “Getting to work with so many clients and launch tours with Dan + Shay, Jelly Roll, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Tim McGraw and Gavin DeGraw, among many others this year,” Turner says, “has been incredible.”
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Resilient.”
Darren Gabriel
Jason Ve
Senior vp of global brand partnerships
■ 88rising
Since its founding in 2015, 88rising has uplifted the voices of Asian creatives throughout the music industry; in 2024, Ve says the company helped push that mission forward with the return of 88rising’s Head in the Clouds festival to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Along with spotlighting talent like Joji and (G)I-DLE, the event created space for LGBTQ+ Asian talent like Deb Never and Dhruv, which Ve says proves “Asian artists aren’t just one thing nor one mold to follow.”
THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
“We need to better support marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community.”
Courtesy of Kristina Waters
Kristina Waters
Senior director of marketing and operations
■ Universal Music Enterprises
Waters says she’s proud to help raise the voices of UMe’s queer artists. “I am also so grateful to our artists who continue to keep LGBTQIA+ issues at the forefront of the social conversation via their music and massive digital footprints,” she explains. In a time of mounting transphobia, drag bans and other threats to LGBTQ+ rights, Waters believes queer art is more important than ever. When she is not working at UMe, where she puts together marketing activations like the one she executed for No Doubt’s return to Coachella this year, she is a supporter of the Trans Youth Equality Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
THE BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TODAY
“Quintessential.”
Alessandro Martino/Sony Music Latin
Andres Wolff
Vp of artist relations and marketing
■ Sony Music Entertainment-U.S. Latin
Aside from his role at one of the biggest U.S. Latin labels, Wolff has long advocated for the LGBTQ+ community. For the past two years, he has led the label’s relationship with Miami Beach Pride, where SME participates as an official sponsor and its artists perform. “We are now working to start having presence in other Pride events around the country. Our goal is to get our artists closer to the community,” Wolff says. However, “ongoing attacks on equal rights” as well as “discrimination and lack of representation are still significant challenges.”
THE LGBTQ+ CHARITY I SUPPORT
I support “Miami Beach Pride raises funds to help fight homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community and provide health resources.”
Contributors
Katie Bain, Anna Chan, Leila Cobo, Hannah Dailey, Stephen Daw, Kyle Denis, Paul Grein, Lyndsey Havens, Elias Leight, Joe Lynch, Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Taylor Mims, Melinda Newman, Kristin Robinson, Dan Rys
Methodology
Nominations for all of Billboard’s industry-sourced executive lists open no less than 150 days in advance of publication, and a submission link is sent by request before the nomination period. (Please email thom.duffy@billboard.com for inclusion on the email list for nomination links and for how to obtain an editorial calendar.) Billboard’s 2024 Pride List honorees were nominated by their companies and peers and chosen by editors based on factors including information submitted with the nomination, recent newsworthy achievements and the market impact of an executive’s work within the past 12 months as measured using data including the Billboard charts. We also considered achievements in making the music industry more LGBTQ+ inclusive. The market share of nominee companies was measured by Billboard charts, using data available as of April 30. Where required, U.S. record-label market share was consulted using Luminate’s current market share for albums, plus track-equivalent and streaming-equivalent album consumption. Unless otherwise noted, Billboard Boxscore and Luminate are the sources for tour grosses and sales/streaming data, respectively. Luminate is also the source for radio audience metrics. The source for radio metrics is monitored station airplay from Mediabase provided by Luminate.