Meet Our Advisory Board!

  • President for the Recording Academy®.

    In his role, Panay drives business growth across the entire organization to further expand the service offerings for Academy members and the industry. With a focus on identifying new partnerships, global expansion and leveraging new technologies, he drives strategic advancement for the Academy’s objectives and fosters a culture of innovation. 

    Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Panay served as the senior vice president for Global Strategy and Innovation at Berklee College of Music and is a fellow at MIT Connection Science. At Berklee, he led the development and execution of the college's overarching strategic plan; founded the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship; oversaw its campuses in New York City, Valencia (Spain) and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Music + Health and India Exchange Institutes; and steered new partnerships, program development and the incorporation of new technologies. He also led Berklee's expansion to China and the K-12 sector. Prior to Berklee, Panay was founder and CEO of Sonicbids, the leading platform for emerging artists to connect with music promoters, resulting in over 1 million gigs booked in over 80 countries around the world. He led the company for 13 years until after its successful acquisition in 2013. He started his career as a talent agent and vice president at The Kurland Agency, booking the international tours for GRAMMY®-winning artists such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and Branford Marsalis.

    Panay has been recognized in Fast Company's Fast 50, Inc Magazine's Inc 500, Mass Hi-Tech All Stars, and Boston Globe's Game Changers. For his work with Sonicbids, Panay was also profiled in the book Outsmart by best-selling author Jim Champy and spoke at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland as part of his work with Open Music. He has been a guest on programs such as CNBC's "Squawk Box" and a guest writer about entrepreneurship for Forbes, Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, and Inc Magazine, among others. He is a public speaker at many universities and events around the world. His first book Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation, co-authored with R. Michael Hendrix of IDEO, was released in April 2021 and was named as a business book of the month by the Financial Times. 

    Panay holds a music business & management degree from Berklee College of Music and studied for an EMBA at Brown University/ IE Business School.

  • Chief Executive Officer, Ripple Effect Studio

    When it comes to the career of superstar Punjabi musician and actor Diljit Dosanjh, Sonali Singh is there every step of the way – from management to business, A&R to tour managing. Together, they made history this year. Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour was the largest North American tour from a Punjabi music artist, including a reported 215,000 attendees and a gross of more than $27 million USD. That North American leg opened and closed with massive stadium shows in Vancouver and Toronto, with the former becoming the biggest ever Punjabi concert outside of India. While staying involved in every aspect of the performances, Singh and Dosanjh were never afraid to dream big, and it paid off in a big way.

  • Founder & Principal, Frontier Design

    Paddy is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, trained in literature and architecture. After serving as SVP Digital Innovation and Digital Creative Director at Indigo Books, and Executive Creative Director of Bruce Mau Design, Paddy founded Frontier, an independent design office that channels the expansive potential of storytelling to help people get somewhere new.

    For twenty years, Paddy has worked across design, advertising, research, and architecture, developing powerful stories for some of the world’s most impactful brands and institutions, including Coca-Cola, the Sacramento Kings, the Holy City of Mecca, Unilever, and the Fogo Island Inn.

    Paddy’s work has been awarded and published internationally, and he has spoken at design conferences and institutions like Brown University, Harvard University, and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

  • Senior Vice President, Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada

     As Senior Vice President, Programming & Operations, Michelle oversees all aspects of programming and network operations, including our sports, talk, comedy and music groups. She also oversees SiriusXM’s broadcast facilities and enterprise operations.

    With over 20 years of experience in streaming, podcasts, digital marketing and partnership development in music and entertainment, Michelle previously led growth initiatives, strategy and content marketing at Apple (Canada). Prior to that, she led all marketing and communications activity for both Twitter Canada and Facebook Canada. She was also previously the marketing and communications lead for CBC Music, and worked on promoting artists as part of Universal Music Canada’s Island/Def Jam division.

  • Director of Radio Content for iHeartRadio, Bell Media, and Orbyt Media

    Sarah has spent most of her life in the radio business. She started in her hometown of Chatham and for the past 25 years has worked throughout Ontario with stops in Niagara, Ottawa, Kitchener, London, Hamilton & Toronto. Sarah started in Promotions and then spent 15 years as a Radio Program Director, Format Captain & Regional Director. In 2017 Sarah became the first female Program Director for Toronto’s #1 Radio Station CHUM 104.5. In 2021 Sarah was appointed Director of Radio Content, iHeartRadio & Orbyt Media for Bell Media with a focus on the evolution of audio strategy, national brands and content & talent development. Sarah is the Vice Chair for FACTOR, a recent member of the Audio Executive Committee for Numeris, co-chair of the Program Advisory Committee for the Radio, TV & Film program at Niagara College, an avid mentor and past winner of CMW Program Director of the Year awards and was recently honoured to be part of the inaugural Billboard Canada Power Players & Women in Music.

  • Head of Content, Rolling Stone Québec

    BHead of content at Rolling Stone Québec, Billy has over 20 years of experience in music and media. As a musician and DJ, he has performed and covered festivals worldwide, worked with M for Montréal and Mundial Montréal, and co-ran his own festival. His deep industry knowledge, global network, and expertise in underground culture make him a key advocate for emerging talent. An award-winning bilingual writer, Billy Eff is also deeply involved in the Montréal restaurant and nightlife scene.


    Favorite NXNE memory: 2014, for its absolutely stacked line-up (and getting to discover the lore of the Queen/Spadina McDonald's)

  • SOCAN Foundation Executive Director

    Recognized by SPIN Magazine as one of the 25 most influential people in the music industry in 2025, Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews dedicates her work to fostering inclusivity and innovation in the creative industries. Recognized with the King Coronation III Medal and named Change Maker of the Year by Women in Music Canada in 2025. As the Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation, she continues to develop national initiatives such as the TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator to help emerging artists build sustainable careers, and the Equity X Production Program to empower women to learn music production. Holding a PhD in Management and receiving the Gold Medal for academic excellence at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Dr. Wall-Andrews is an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition to her academic pursuits, she contributes to the broader arts community as a Board Member of the Canada Council for the Arts. She serves as the inaugural Vice-Chair of Music Canada’s Advisory Council. She is also an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre. Through leadership, research, and creative endeavours, Dr. Wall-Andrews remains committed to empowering the next generation of artists and leaders, shaping a more equitable future for the cultural sector, as well as mobilizing a productive creative ecosystem. Learn more: www.charliewallandrews.com

  • Co-President, Paquin Artists Agency
    Few individuals have shaped the live music industry in Canada as profoundly as Vinny Cinquemani. Often credited with bringing Canadian artists to the forefront, Cinquemani has been instrumental in creating opportunities for domestic talent, helping them achieve recognition at home and beyond.

    Arriving in Toronto from New York in the 1970s, Cinquemani transitioned from a musician and singer to a pivotal force in Canada’s entertainment industry. As the country experienced a creative explosion, he began working with audiences and venues to embrace homegrown talent. After holding executive roles at several influential booking firms—including Concept 376, Music Shoppe International, Platinum Artists, and The Agency (as President)—Cinquemani joined S.L. Feldman & Associates (SLFA) in 1994 as VP of Artist Relations. By 1996, he was promoted to President, leading SLFA to unprecedented success. In 2010, he became Senior VP, eventually transitioning to Co-President of Paquin Artists Agency in 2022 following his departure from TFA in 2021.

    A fierce negotiator and a master strategist, Cinquemani is celebrated for his ability to devise long-term career trajectories for artists while delivering exceptional results for his management and artist clients. His dedication to excellence is evident in his attention to detail, whether evaluating a deal’s nuances or ensuring his clients’ visions are realized.

    Cinquemani’s accolades underscore his impact: he has been named Canadian Booking Agent of the Year 10 times at the Canadian Music Industry Awards and twice received Performance Magazine’s International Agent/Promoter of the Year honour. In 2024, he was voted the #1 Agency/Agent in Billboard’s Top 100 Power Players in Canada.

    His illustrious roster reads like a who’s who of Canadian and international talent, including Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé, John Fogerty, Jann Arden, Burton Cummings, The Guess Who, Simple Plan, Johnny Reid, Amanda Marshall, The Offspring, Tom Cochrane, David Foster, and Kim Mitchell, among others.

    2023-2025 has been a landmark period for Cinquemani. Highlights include his leadership in executing the transformative merger between APA Canada and Paquin Artists Agency, alongside Julien Paquin, establishing a powerhouse agency.

    Beyond booking, Cinquemani has contributed significantly to the broader music industry. He served six years on the CARAS (JUNO Awards) Board of Directors and eight years as a Talent Coordinator for CARAS. His contributions to artist development and live music were recognized with COCA’s prestigious Founders Award.

    Vinny Cinquemani’s career is a testament to his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to artists, and his monumental impact on the Canadian and international music landscapes.


    My favourite memories of NXNE are The Lumineers at Horseshoe in 2012, Matthew Good Band at Horseshoe 1996, The Parachute Club, and Martha and The Muffins.

  • President, Feldman Agency

    Tom Kemp is a seasoned agent and the President of The Feldman Agency (TFA), a leading Canadian entertainment company. He joined TFA in 1998 and has been instrumental in shaping its trajectory over the years. In 2019, alongside CEO Jeff Craib, Tom co-acquired the 50-year-old agency, marking a new era of growth and innovation. In recognition of his contributions, Tom was promoted to President in April 2024, taking on increased responsibility for the overall focus and well-being of the company.

    Tom represents a roster of acclaimed artists, including The Glorious Sons, Tom Morello, Charlotte Cardin, Jessie Reyez, Daniel Caesar, Allison Russell, and Alvvays. His deep industry expertise, sharp instincts, and commitment to artist development have been central to The Feldman Agency’s continued success and reputation as a powerhouse in the live entertainment space.


    FAVOURITE NXNE MEMORY: LUDACRIS (2013 - Yonge-Dundas)

  • Project Lead, Arts Help and Billboard Canada

    Vahishtai is a project lead at award-winning nonprofit Arts Help, and a project manager at Billboard Canada, where they oversee large-scale initiatives at the intersection of arts, culture, and social impact. With an academic foundation in history and formative roots in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, they bring a global, incisive and inclusive perspective to every project. A passionate advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-oppression, Vahishtai centres the voices and experiences of those historically pushed to the margins. As a non-binary person of colour, they are committed to reimagining creative spaces, believing firmly that the music industry—and the arts more broadly—must be by all and for all, with room at the table for every narrative.