Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/entertainment industry?

I was at a high point in my career as the Director of Booking at Endeavor, jet-setting around the world for festivals I was booking. I had a lot of concerns about how starting a family would impact my career and whether the same opportunities would be available to me as a mom. One day, when I was five months pregnant and working a show in Abu Dhabi, dealing with some of the top agents & artists in the world, I realized, “I can do this!” It was an insanely stressful day; I was jet-lagged, dealing with a lot of pressure, and juggling the anxiety of being pregnant in desert temperatures. Despite all this, I felt so proud of where I was and I knew that I never wanted to lose that feeling and that I was going to do whatever it takes to try and have it all. A few months later, after my first child's arrival, the pandemic hit, and I lost my job. Those years taught me the importance of seizing opportunities and chasing dreams because we never know when they can all be taken away. Jobs come and go, but family is forever.

As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?

Childcare in Toronto is highly competitive, requiring significant effort to navigate the systems and secure reliable options. Managing the various camps, lessons, and daycare programs with long waitlists is challenging. Flexible and remote work options are more crucial than ever, especially for music industry parents who often work nights and weekends without extra compensation to cover childcare needs. Before becoming a parent, I had yet to learn how expensive childcare was or how much planning was involved for parents to get back into the workforce.

What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?

Implementing more flexible and remote work options within the music industry could make a significant positive impact for working parents. This would help accommodate the irregular hours and extensive travel often required, making it easier to balance professional and family responsibilities.

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry?

I’m fortunate to have a few mom friends in live events who understand the challenges of our industry and can offer emotional support and valuable advice. When I was coming off maternity leave and looking for work, I reached out to a few successful moms in the business for advice and they were very generous with their time. I think working parents have a mutual respect for the extra hustle it takes to show up and put in the work to be successful in our business while also being a mom.

What’s one specific example of an organization/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents?

‘Moms at Work’ is a collective that has put tremendous effort into advocating for pay transparency in Canada. Equal pay remains a significant issue in the music industry, and more needs to be done to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. Transparency helps reduce the gender pay gap by making it more difficult to justify paying women less than men for the same roles. If our industry can commit to pay transparency then we can foster a culture of fairness and accountability. This inclusive environment is especially important to me as a working mom who is supporting two children.

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate?

Music events can make it easier for working parents to participate by offering alternative networking opportunities. The music business culture often revolves around networking over drinks and hanging out after the show, which can be challenging for working parents. I appreciate events that offer a networking lunch, allowing attendees to meet people over coffee or in a sober environment. For example, I attended a Women in Music networking brunch at Osheaga last summer that was held early in the day and provided a great experience for networking. I would love to see more organizations offering inclusive networking opportunities during business hours, not just female-led ones.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?
I'd like to give a shout-out to Alexis White, a former colleague of mine and a single working mom who is the Entertainment and Booking Manager for the new Great Canadian Casino. Her two boys are a bit older than mine, so she has navigated many of the challenges I face now. Also, she grew up with parents who were very successful in touring, so she experienced firsthand what it's like to be a kid in that environment. I'm excited to see what the new venue will bring to Toronto and know it's in good hands with Alexis on their team.