My recent work, as Research Manager at the Center for Music Ecosystems and Researcher & Operations Lead at Water & Music, has taken me from analyzing the political economy of independent record labels and the global music industry to studying how local music ecosystems contribute to community resilience, and investigating the impacts of emerging technologies like AI and web3 on artists and music businesses.

In every case, the goal has been the same: to connect rigorous, original research with practical strategies that strengthen the cultural sector.

My understanding of the culture and music industries is grounded in first-hand experience. As an Artist Manager with Kelp Management, I worked closely with artists like Lido Pimienta, Andy Shauf, and Foxwarren to drive their artistic and career development,  navigating release campaigns, touring, publishing, marketing, and the full spectrum of music industry operations. At the same time, I led MEGAPHONO’s annual showcase and export festival and conference, curating programs that connected emerging artists to international opportunities. This practical experience continues to ground my current research and strategy work in the realities of creative practice and the collective needs of artists and workers.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the Canadian government, including as Program Management Officer at the International Development Research Centre and Analyst at Global Affairs Canada. In these roles, I conducted policy analysis, and designed and managed programs ranging from African STEM education initiatives to capacity development for the governance of science funding. This work strengthened my understanding of public administration in the context of global governance, the research-to-policy pipeline, and how to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

I am a passionate contributor to my community and the cultural sector through leadership roles as Board Chair for Debaser, an Ottawa-based nonprofit presenting experimental and underground music, and Board Co-Chair for New Feeling, a cooperative of music journalists and readers producing critical, community-driven coverage of Canadian music. I also serve as a long-time juror for FACTOR’s national music grant programs, and regularly share my work through speaking engagements and delivering educational workshops (see: list of engagements) in Canada and internationally.

Whether working with artists, organizations, or communities, my approach combines rigorous research and analysis with collaborative project management. I’m passionate about developing institutions and projects that are equitable and strengthen collective cultural and social systems, from policy frameworks and business models to festivals, cooperative governance models, and public events that help creative work thrive.

If you need help with project management, research and writing, or any number of related policy and/or culture and music projects, please reach out.

See my FULL CV for more information.

A few recent projects…

I would like to respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people. I will continue to learn the history of the land that I live on and the people to whom it belongs, and encourage others to do the same. There are so many amazing resources for this type of learning – one which I found helpful as a building block to further learning and which I encourage everyone to visit is native-land.ca.