Nemahsis, is a Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter renowned for her evocative and socially conscious music. Born in Milton, Ontario, to Palestinian immigrant parents, she began her artistic journey by sharing beauty and fashion content on TikTok, gradually revealing her musical talents through covers and original compositions.​

In June 2021, Nemahsis released her debut single, "what if i took it off for you?," a poignant reflection on societal perceptions of Muslim women who wear the hijab. This track resonated globally, sparking conversations about identity and representation. Her subsequent EP, "eleven achers" (2022), delved deeper into themes of immigration and personal struggle, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her presence in the music industry.​

In October 2023, shortly after signing with a major record label, Nemahsis was abruptly dropped due to her outspoken support for Palestinian rights amid escalating conflicts in Gaza. Undeterred, she continued her artistic endeavors independently, releasing her debut album, "verbathim," in September 2024. The album's title, a play on "verbatim," signifies her commitment to unfiltered expression, addressing complex topics such as cultural identity and resilience. Despite the initial setbacks, the album has garnered widespread recognition and adoration from fans worldwide, solidifying her as a fearless artist unafraid to use her voice for change.

Nemahsis's music has received endorsements and co-signs from beloved industry icons like Elton John and Stevie Wonder, and her single "stick of gum" was highlighted by Spotify as one of the ‘Best Songs of 2024.’

Leela Gilday is a celebrated Dene singer-songwriter whose music resonates with the power of the North and the voices of her people. Hailing from the Northwest Territories, she has built a remarkable career rooted in storytelling, cultural connection, and sonic innovation. Since her 2002 debut album "Spirit World, Solid Wood" - which received multiple Canadian Indigenous Music Awards - Leela has continued to make an indelible mark on the Canadian music landscape.

Gilday’s sophomore album, "Sedzé", earned a JUNO Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year, setting the stage for a series of acclaimed releases, including "Calling All Warriors and Heart of the People." With her 2019 record, "North Star Calling," she further cemented her place as a leading voice in Indigenous music, winning Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the 2021 JUNOs.

Leela’s impact extends beyond her solo work—she co-founded the musical project Sechile Sedare with her brother Jay and contributed to the Feel Out Loud charity single alongside 50+ artists. Her artistry also reaches the screen, with a role in the 2019 independent film Red Snow.

With a career defined by resilience, cultural advocacy, and musical excellence, Leela Gilday continues to inspire audiences across Canada and beyond.

Lisa Logutenkow is a distinguished music industry executive with over two decades of experience. She began her career as a tour manager before joining Bedlam Music Management in 2005. Within two years, she led operations at both Dine Alone Records and Bedlam Management, where she expanded the label's roster to include acclaimed artists such as Bedouin Soundclash, City and Colour, Alexisonfire, and Arkells.

In 2019, Lisa was appointed Vice President of The Orchard's Canadian operations, focusing on supporting independent labels, artists, and managers in growing their businesses and brands. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening The Orchard's presence in Canada.

Lisa has also been an active member of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), serving as Chair of the Board of Directors. Her contributions to the industry were recognized with the Pegi Cecconi Trailblazer Award, honoring her as a pioneering force in Canadian music.

Veronica Syrtash is a trailblazer in music rights and licensing, whose work has reshaped the landscape of music publishing in Canada and beyond. As Vice President of Legal & Business Affairs at CMRRA, she played a pivotal role in securing the first broadcast mechanical tariff and pioneering licensing agreements with major digital platforms such as YouTube, Meta, and TikTok—ensuring fair compensation for music publishers and songwriters.

Syrtash’s expertise extends to international partnerships, where she has helped establish global licensing frameworks, broadening opportunities for Canadian rights holders. Veronica also co-leads SX Works Global Publisher Services, a division of SoundExchange, where she spearheaded the first-ever end-to-end music administration service deal, strengthening relationships with industry giants such as Dianne Warren’s company, Realsongs.

Beyond her legal and business accomplishments, Veronica is a respected thought leader, educator, and advocate. Her academic work has been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada, and she regularly speaks at industry conferences while mentoring future professionals through Osgoode Hall Law School and Trebas Institute.

With a career defined by innovation, advocacy, and a commitment to creators’ rights, Veronica Syrtash’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews is a visionary leader, researcher, and mentor, dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada’s music industry. In her role as Executive Director at SOCAN Foundation, Charlie has demonstrated the utmost dedication to creating access and opportunities for artists. 

Her partnership with CBC alongside the Indigenous advisory team led to the creation of the Reviewed Indigenous Residency Program, offering essential resources and support to Indigenous artists in remote and underserved communities. This program provides crucial resources for Indigenous artists in remote and underserved communities, addressing long-standing structural barriers.

A leading researcher, Charlie has spearheaded groundbreaking studies that spotlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the music sector. She worked with Speaking Non-English to explore barriers for Latin artists in Canada and collaborated with ADVANCE and the Diversity Institute to produce the first-ever study on the Value of Black Music in Canada. These projects offer critical insights into systemic inequities and serve as a foundation for meaningful industry-wide change.

Charlie bridges academia and real-world impact by equipping students and community members with the skills and confidence to navigate the music industry. Her newly earned PhD reinforces her commitment to merging rigorous scholarship with practical action, ensuring her research translates into tangible improvements in policy and practice.

Despite working largely behind the scenes, Charlie’s influence is profound, shaping the industry’s collective direction while mentoring the next generation of leaders. Her work has redefined representation and accessibility in Canada’s music landscape, making her a deserving recipient of the Changemaker of the Year Award.

Ebonnie Rowe is a visionary producer, entrepreneur, and an advocate of emerging talent in the Canadian music industry. As the founder of Honey Jam, she has dedicated nearly three decades to empowering and elevating diverse female artists, providing a vital platform for mentorship, education, and performance opportunities.

Ebonnie’s journey into artist development began during her time at the University of Toronto, where she launched Each One Teach One, a mentorship initiative for Black youth. This experience led her to explore the representation of women in hip-hop, sparking discussions on Toronto’s CKLN radio and culminating in her curating an all-female issue of Mic Check magazine. The event celebrating that issue evolved into Honey Jam in 1995, originally planned as a one-time showcase but quickly transforming into one of Canada's most influential artist development programs.

Under her leadership, Honey Jam has supported over 1,000 emerging female artists across multiple genres, with alumni including Nelly Furtado, Jully Black, LU KALA, Melanie Fiona, and Haviah Mighty. The program offers a comprehensive development experience, featuring songwriting camps, industry workshops, networking opportunities, and exclusive sessions with major artists like Jessie Reyez, Marsha Ambrosius, Erykah Badu, and Janelle Monáe.

Beyond Honey Jam, Ebonnie has secured life-changing opportunities for artists, including attending the JUNOs, Polaris, and Grammy Awards, as well as facilitating career-shaping mentorship and industry access.

Ebonnie's unwavering dedication to fostering representation, inclusivity, and artistic growth has reshaped the Canadian music landscape, making her a true leader and innovator in artist development.

Carly McFadden is a visionary leader in live music and festival programming, whose work has significantly impacted Canada’s northern music scene. As the Artistic Director of Folk On The Rocks (FOTR) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, she has played a pivotal role in elevating the festival to one of Canada’s most celebrated summer music and cultural events. Through her direction, FOTR not only brings world-class Canadian and international talent to Northern audiences but also serves as a launchpad for emerging Northern artists, strengthening the region’s arts ecosystem.

Committed to gender equity and representation in the music industry, Carly upheld the Keychange Pledge at the FOTR in 2024, ensuring a minimum of 50% women and gender-diverse representation across the staff, board, and festival lineup. She has also mentored and shared her expertise through initiatives such as Women In Music Canada’s Entrepreneur Accelerator program, empowering the next generation of industry leaders.

Under Carly’s leadership, the festival introduced its first-ever Professional Development Day, offering free panels and workshops tailored to the needs of Northern artists. She also has forefronted efforts to bring national media and industry delegates to Yellowknife, increasing exposure for Northwest Territories-based artists. In partnership with Northern Mosaic Network, she helped establish the Performing Arts and Queer Justice (PAQJ) Youth Camp, a safe and empowering space for queer youth to explore music and performance.

Beyond FOTR, Carly serves on the Board of Directors for Music NWT, consults for artists and industry professionals across the territory, and manages several artists through Victory Pool Music. In 2024, she was recognized with the Arnold Edinborough Award, celebrating her contributions as a young changemaker in the Canadian arts and business sectors.

Carly’s dedication to live music, community building, and professional development has transformed the Northern music industry, making her a deserving recipient of the Excellence in Live Music Honour.

Alysha Brilla is a trailblazing Indo-Tanzanian Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and composer known for her unique fusion of folk, world, soul, and pop influences. A three-time JUNO Award nominee and a 2024 Canadian Screen Award-nominated composer for The Queen of My Dreams, she continues to break barriers in the music industry through her artistry, mentorship, and advocacy.

Brilla made history in 2013 as one of the first self-produced female artists to receive a JUNO nomination for her debut album. She has since produced three JUNO-nominated records and collaborated with industry leaders, including Grammy-winning artists like Bedouin Soundclash, Digging Roots, No Doubt, The Black Eyed Peas, and Justin Nozuka. Her single Love was mastered by three-time Grammy winner Emily Lazar.

Beyond her achievements as an artist, Brilla is a champion for diversity and inclusion in the music industry. She is the first female professor in Berklee College’s Independent Recording and Music Production faculty and serves as an advisor for We Are Moving The Needle, advocating for gender equity in music production and engineering. She has been a keynote speaker at SXSW, Folk Alliance International, and Iceland Airwaves, addressing topics such as gender equity, independent artistry, and healing through sound.

Brilla’s impact extends globally, with extensive international touring, including four U.S. tours in 2024. Through her mobile production studio and mentorship programs, she supports underserved BIPOC, 2SLGBTQI+, and disabled artists, ensuring greater accessibility in the music industry. Her unwavering dedication to representation, empowerment, and artistic excellence makes her a worthy recipient of Women In Music Canada’s International Leadership Honour.

Established in 2021, ArtHaus has rapidly emerged as a cornerstone of Toronto's music and arts community. Functioning as a multifaceted creative hub, ArtHaus offers a professional recording studio, collaborative workspaces, and artist accommodations, all designed to foster artistic innovation and collaboration.​

In just four years, ArtHaus has directly supported thousands of Canadian artists through a range of innovative programs. Notably, the "On the Haus" residency program provides emerging and mid-career artists from across Canada with complimentary recording sessions in their state-of-the-art studio, coupled with accommodations in their Toronto residence. This initiative not only nurtures artistic talent but also alleviates the financial burdens often associated with creative production.​

ArtHaus's commitment to accessibility is further exemplified by their provision of affordable venue spaces for artist-led projects and non-profit organizations - standing out as one of the few arts organizations offering subsidized living accommodations in Toronto for artists and their families - ensuring that creatives have a supportive environment to live and work.​

Collaborative efforts have been central to ArtHaus's mission. What began as a coffee partnership with the Unison Benevolent Fund to raise funds for mental wellness programs and emergency relief services during COVID-19 has evolved into recurring initiatives. These include "Music On the Fly," a curated live music experience at Billy Bishop Airport showcasing local emerging artists, and the "Inside LIVE!" program, which empowers Black youth to explore and pursue careers behind the scenes in the music industry.​

ArtHaus's unwavering dedication to fostering artistic growth, community engagement, and inclusivity has solidified its reputation as a transformative force in Canada's cultural landscape. Their holistic approach to artist support and community collaboration makes them a deserving recipient of the Organization of the Year Award.

Alexandra is the co-founder of The Vault, a record label, artist management company & music services agency operating in North America via Montreal & in Europe via Paris, and representing artists like JaRon Marshall (Grammy-Award nominee Black Pumas) and Hansom Ēli.Since 2022, The Vault has collaborated with events, as much in the production of festivals and conventions, as in their content programming, like M fo r Montreal, Cannes Lions, Lune Rouge and more.

Along with the development of the label, Alexandra consults for the festival M for Montreal and for the French entertainment company Wagram Stories which represents successful European artists such as OrelSan, PLK, Georgio, Lilly Wood & The Prick, The Dø, Fatoumata Diawara, and Kazy Lambist. 

Alexandra has been a CARAS Academy Delegate for a few years and is frequently called upon as a volunteer juror for the JUNO Awards and FACTOR. She's also a member of MMF UK and a Board Member of MMF Canada.

Harpo Mander is a visionary leader in British Columbia’s South Asian arts and cultural landscape. As the Executive Director of 5X Fest, she spearheads one of North America’s most influential platforms for young South Asian creatives, fostering community, innovation, and artistic expression.

A Surrey-born and raised tastemaker, Harpo’s work extends beyond festival curation—she is a champion for cultural representation, community empowerment, and intersectional advocacy. She is the first Punjabi woman to serve on the board of BCPAVCO (British Columbia’s Performing Arts Venue Coalition) and has been recognized as one of the Surrey Board of Trade’s Top 25 Under 25 for her contributions to the arts and culture sector.

Harpo has also been featured on CBC Radio, News 1130, OMNI Punjabi, Shaw Multicultural, The Tyee, Cold Tea Collective, and Radio Canada, sharing insights on cultural identity, the arts, and social justice. She has also spoken on panels for BC Arts Council, BreakOut West, and other key industry organizations, advocating for increased support and visibility for South Asian artists.

Harpo Mander’s relentless dedication to inclusivity, representation, and community-driven initiatives continues to shape Canada’s arts and culture scene, solidifying her as a transformative force for the next generation of creatives.

Alex Simpson is a festival manager at Live Nation Canada. With over a decade in the industry, she has built a career centered on immersive fan experiences, inclusivity, and innovation.

Her journey began as a passionate festival-goer in 2012, leading to an internship at Live Nation in 2014. Within six months, she secured a full-time role, quickly rising through the ranks. Over the past nine years, she has overseen major festival properties, including FVDED In The Park, Coast City Country, Born & Raised, Badlands Music Festival, and Chasing Summer, with past involvement in Rolling Loud Toronto, Dreams Music Festival, and VELD. She also played a key role in booking 100+ live shows annually across Ontario.

Beyond Live Nation, Alex is reshaping the festival landscape with Lavender Wild, a groundbreaking event dedicated to uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ artists and audiences. What began as a personal love story has evolved into a vital platform for queer representation in live music, fostering a welcoming and celebratory space for the community.

Kingsley Swim is a community connector, independent curator, and founder of The Framework, an agency dedicated to fostering innovative collaborations within the arts. Her work involves developing forward-thinking programs, spearheading funding proposals, and curating events in partnership with multidisciplinary artists, collectives, and art service organizations.

In addition to her leadership at The Framework, Kingsley actively contributes to the local arts scene by bringing fresh ideas to presenters such as Debaser, Cranium Arts Project, and House of PainT. She also lends her expertise on regional peer committees including the Canada Council for the Arts, City of Ottawa, and Bourses Tontine Awards, and serves as a juror for award panels like the JUNOS, Western Canadian Music Awards, and East Coast Music Awards.

In 2023, Kingsley was named a Keychange Innovator, an honor that recognized her commitment to professional development and international collaboration through networking and travel across Europe. To date, she has secured seven figures in public funding to support Canadian-based creatives and artist-centred initiatives, and she currently leads multiple projects, including ArtHaus.

Laura Wilson-Lewis is a dynamic legal and business affairs professional at Warner Music Canada, where she plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic partnerships and protecting its intellectual property assets.

In the past year, Laura has been instrumental in closing several high-profile deals, including an agreement with platinum-selling songwriter and producer Eli Brown. This deal secured a first-look partnership with his imprint, Loophole Records, granting Warner Music Canada exclusive access to emerging talent from Toronto and beyond.

 Laura also spearheaded Warner’s deal with The Carver Music Group, expanding licensing opportunities for Warner’s artists and catalogue. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in securing trademark registration in India for 91 North Records, a joint venture between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India, dedicated to amplifying artists of South Asian heritage.

 Beyond her legal expertise, Laura is deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement. She led Warner Music Canada’s 2023 partnership with The Remix Project, organizing a four-week speaker series featuring Warner employees discussing public relations, social media, audience engagement, marketing, and branding. She is also a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, including her recent appearance at the Black Female Lawyers Network Conference in Toronto, where she continues to inspire and guide aspiring legal and music professionals.

 Through her work, Laura Wilson-Lewis continues to shape the evolving landscape of Canada’s music industry, bridging business, law, and cultural impact.