Sam has been working in the music industry throughout North America and the UK for almost two decades. Her career has focused primarily on live music working for promoters/festivals including Reading & Leeds Festivals, Coachella Music Festival, Virgin Music Festival and WayHome. In addition, Sam spent several years as a manager at Nettwerk Management’s UK office working for major-label multi-platinum artists. She is the founder of Women in Music Canada, a non-profit organization aimed at fostering gender diversity and equality. Sam is also a member of the FACTOR Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
Don’t let stereotypes, bias or preconceptions prevent you from pursuing your passion and/or a career you love. Be tenacious, creative and resourceful, and never lose faith in yourself.
What are some tips or strategies, resources/groups you have used to overcome barriers that many women often face in their careers?
Find excellent mentors, seek out companies, colleagues and teams that foster healthy environments, and don’t hesitate to ignore the glass ceiling and build your own house.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing women in music today? Do you have any suggestions for the industry to make progress in alleviating these issues?
Per the RBC study, COVID-19 has set women in the workplace back 30 years, which placed in the context of existing pay/opportunity/representation disparities of the Canadian music industry, provides serious cause for concern. Changing the gender economic balance and investment in our industry will be a wonderful starting place to combating these issues.