Women in Music Nonprofit Names 2026 ‘Best Places to Work’ Honorees for Women

Live Nation, SiriusXM, Symphonic Distribution, Music Business Association, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Publishing are among the standout companies recognized for their commitment to women in the music industry. This acknowledgment comes from the latest edition of the Women in Music (WIM) Best Places to Work survey, conducted in partnership with InHerSight.

Recognizing Workplace Inclusivity

The survey also highlighted Ticketmaster, Spotify, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Loeb & Loeb, Nettwerk Music Group, The Mechanical Licensing Collective, The Orchard, A2IM, The Syndicate, The Recording Academy, and Bright Antenna Records for their efforts in promoting workplace inclusivity and employee satisfaction.

Nicole Barsalona, president of Women in Music, emphasized the importance of women in leadership roles, stating that they enhance financial performance and drive innovation. She expressed excitement about the companies making strides to create environments where women can thrive. Barsalona noted that organizations like Live Nation and The Recording Academy demonstrated high response rates, reflecting their commitment to transparency and accountability.

Commitment to Women’s Advancement

Ali Harnell, president and chief strategy officer of Live Nation Women, remarked that the recognition underscores the culture the organization is dedicated to fostering. This culture aims to support women at every stage of their careers, enabling them to grow, lead, and make an impact across the industry.

The survey revealed that Big Picture Media, Music Business Association, Bright Antenna Records, The Orchard, and A2IM achieved perfect scores for offering equal opportunities to women and men. Additionally, these companies, along with others, excelled in promoting women in leadership roles. SiriusXM, Music Business Association, and Bright Antenna Records were identified as the top companies for salary satisfaction.

Ongoing Challenges for Women in the Workplace

Despite these accolades, significant disparities continue to affect women in the workplace. The survey indicated that nearly half of women would not recommend their workplace, and 45% believe that support for women has declined. Furthermore, over 70% of women are considering new job opportunities in 2026 due to better-paying prospects.

Ursula Mead, co-founder and CEO of InHerSight, highlighted the detrimental impact the past year has had on women’s careers. She noted that many women have left the workforce, and those thriving in sectors like healthcare and education often face undervaluation and underpayment. Mead criticized companies that have opted for silence, stepping back from initiatives that support women’s advancement, which historically contribute to more innovative and profitable workplaces.

Survey Insights and Participation

The WIM Best Places to Work survey was conducted on an opt-in basis among 185 companies, with over 6,875 respondents participating. The survey assessed various factors, including management opportunities, flexible work hours, maternity and adoptive leave, and employer responsiveness.

Big Picture Media, Bright Antenna Records, Music Business Association, SAG-AFTRA, and The Syndicate achieved perfect scores in fostering a sense of belonging. Other companies, including Universal Music Group, Live Nation, The Recording Academy, The Orchard, Concord, Spotify, The MLC, and Kobalt, received high marks in this category.

Shonda Grant, chief people and culture officer at the Recording Academy, expressed pride in the recognition from the 2026 Women in Music Best Places to Work list. She described it as a testament to the intentional, people-first culture cultivated at the organization, emphasizing that when team members feel supported and empowered, they perform their best work on behalf of music creators.

Women in Music is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, founded in 1985 to educate, empower, and advance women in the music industry. The organization hosts year-round educational and career development programming, focusing on equity initiatives such as WIM Safe(r) Spaces, the WIM Workplace Initiative, the WIM Mentorship Program, and the WIM Executive Internship Program.

As reported by www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-04-17 21:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk