Recording Academy President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has appointed Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay as Co-Presidents, effective August 16, 2021. They will join recently elevated Chief Operating Officer Branden Chapman and Chief Industry Officer Ruby Marchand as part of a modernized leadership team. In a statement, the Academy said, “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, whose title will shift to CEO.”
As Co-President, Butterfield Jones will continue to oversee the Recording Academy’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts along with people and culture, membership, awards, advocacy, and related initiatives.
Panay will serve as Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer and will be tasked with driving business growth across the entire organization to further expand the service offerings for our members and the industry.
“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.”
