We sat down with the women on our staff to ask them a few questions this Women’s Equality Day.
Mary Jurey
Can you please introduce yourself?
Mary Jurey / Chief Business Officer.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Mary: Not really, to be honest with you. My time in the music business has really been dominated by male figures. All of my bosses or leaders have been male. I always felt that I was surging ahead without any female mentors to guide me, which is why I feel strongly about now being a mentor myself to women coming up in the music business.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Mary: I am currently very involved in the climate change issue as a board member of Music Declares Emergency. I have always been historically involved in environmental and conservation issues.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Mary: The advice I would give would be to have a thick skin, and be prepared to persevere in sometimes not so friendly environments. Also learn how to be collaborative and inclusive, while still holding true to your ideas and beliefs.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Mary: So many great female artists: KT Tunstall, Nikki Lane, Morgan Wade, Sierra Ferrel, First Aid Kit, Susan Tedeschi, Brandi Carlile, Amethyst Kiah, Margo Cilker, Brittany Howard…. I could keep going!
Shannon Moore
Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi! I'm Shannon Moore and I'm the Director of Marketing for Blue Élan Records.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Shannon: Prior to a few years ago I never really had a mentor. Those who I looked up to were generally teachers until I started working full time. By nature of being in the industry, almost everyone I have ever worked for was a man, and while many of them I've built great relationships with, there were definitely road blocks because there are certain things they will never be able to relate to. However, I did learn to start leaning more into the women I worked with, whatever their position, to have allies and as a way to learn how to better navigate the music industry. On top of that, I realized I also needed mentors outside of my career goals, and a few years ago was able to meet some really strong women, who are rooted and willing to help me achieve my next levels of success.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Shannon: There's a laundry list of causes that are close to my heart and that I wish I had more time to give back to. But if I had to narrow down the ones I'm most passionate about it would be: Equal rights, universal healthcare access and sensible gun control.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Shannon: The best advice I can give about entering the industry as a woman is to be vocal. You're coming into a world which is still led in a lot of ways by an old regime. If you have creative ideas, speak up, express what you like to see as both someone on the label side and someone who consumes music. They may not always land, but make yourself known, and learn as much as you can about all aspects of whatever company you're working for. It will make you a huge asset and someone others know they can count on.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Shannon: My favorite female musicians that I normally have on rotation are: Hayley Williams (Paramore), Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Dusty Springfield, The Crystals and Missy Elliot. I've also recently added Jax, Leah Kate and Ava Max to the mix.
Kim Umanoff
Can you please introduce yourself?
Kim Umanoff, General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Kim: I’ve been so fortunate to have many female mentors throughout my career. Pam Woods, a partner at Pasich LLP is one of the most hardworking, thoughtful and inspiring legal writers I’ve ever worked with and was a phenomenal example of what it means to be a strong woman in the legal profession.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Kim: Supporting underprivileged foster youth in Los Angeles through the Alliance for Children’s Rights. I’ve had the privilege of assisting on adoptions and those experiences were amongst the most important legal endeavors I’ve participated in. I’m so proud of the awareness and fundraising campaigns Blue Elan Records has participated in to support the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Kim: The industry NEEDS more female innovators. Claim your place, be aggressive, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and be innovative.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Kim: KT Tunstall. Maggie Rogers. Ingrid Andress. Madi Diaz.
Melissa Dragich - Cordero
Can you please introduce yourself?
Melissa Dragich, Publicist for Blue Elan and owner of MAD Ink PR.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Melissa: I have had many women mentor me or inspire me along my career but I have to say the one that stands out most is a previous boss at Def American Recordings, Heidi Ellen Robinson-Fitzgerald. She is easily THE most creative publicist in the business. I watched her spin angles, come up with the most unique events and generally the best bios and pitches in the business. I learned more in my 4 years with her than my entire career. And she was always very supportive of the staff, but in particular the women who worked with her. I've worked with so many great female partners in PR and have so many great friends who are also publicists, are writers, music bookers. Mentors can come in all forms!
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Melissa: I am the proud Mom of a teen on the spectrum. I hope that one day everyone can understand the unique viewpoint of those that may function a little differently in this world.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Melissa: My advice for young women entering the music industry is to ask a lot of questions and read everything that is available to you. I read all of the press releases and pitch letters as I did press mailings. I asked questions, I learned by working events and went to as many concerts as I was able to. All of this helped me further my career.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Melissa: I listen to a lot of different music -- from classic artists like Stevie Nicks and Heart to more recents like Adele and Brittany Howard, Phoebe Bridgers, Dua Lipa - I love what an artist like LIZZO represents, comfortable in her own skin and promoting such positiveness for young girls. There's so much great music out there.
Connie Cham
Can you please introduce yourself?
Connie Cham. I am the Sales and Distribution manager at Blue Élan.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Connie: I'm proud to be part of a record label that has so many women in high level positions. After attending a USC Annenberg seminar about Women In Music. I learned that I only make up part of the 1% of women in my field. Not a lot of young women get to be in a position to learn by example. I'm very grateful to have such an open and supportive work environment.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Connie: I support women's rights and autonomy of their bodies. I don't believe that our health is a political playground.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Connie: Don't be afraid to ask questions, learn, and make room for yourself at the table. No one is an expert when they first start, but the willingness to learn is what will set you apart from others.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Connie: Always! Japanese Breakfast, Bea from Beadadoobee, and Little Dragon.
Kacy Swain
Can you please introduce yourself?
Kacy Swain, Chief Social Initiative Officer
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
Kacy: Starting at Blue Élan when I was 22, I was fortunate to watch and learn from multiple strong women - Melissa, Kim, and Mary have all taught me how to find my voice in a room full of men and how to navigate the music industry when I really didn’t know much coming in.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
Kacy: Being the Chief Social Initiatives Officer, I have a passion for any opportunity we can find to make a difference. Within that scope, supporting black rights and women's rights is of huge importance to me.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
Kacy: My advice to young women entering the music industry is to say yes to every opportunity. Being able to learn how every aspect of the industry works only gives you a step ahead. Also just to listen. Experience goes far, so when you are still starting out learning from those who have been in the industry for a while can give you great insight.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
Kacy: I am loving Doechii, Doja Cat, Beyonce’s new album is great, and I will always be a fan of Norah Jones, Nina Simone, and Sade.
D’Andrée Galipeau
Can you please introduce yourself?
D’Andrée Galipeau, Visual Content Manager
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
D’Andrée: I was blessed to be raised primarily by capable and unapologetic strong women. Now, I am thankful to be surrounded by amazing and capable friends and creative collaborators. I learn so much from the people in my life.
What’s an important cause or issue you support?
D’Andrée: The rate in which indigenous women/people go missing is higher than any other ethnicity. The rate that any woman experiences violence and abuse is completely unacceptable, but my emphasis in support and awareness is towards the crimes against indigenous women. I’m really excited for the work Secretary of the Interior Deb Harland is doing to solve MMIP cases.
What advice would you give to young women entering the music industry?
D’Andrée: Women are magic. Women create life. Music is a beautiful vessel for women to create/focus energy to add healing energy in the world and I hope more women flood the industry with this in mind in such an important time in the world.
Any favorite female musicians you are listening to right now?
D’Andrée: Janet Jackson and Chaka Khan are my most influential artists, but some contemporary artists that excited me are Rochelle Jordan, Kelela, Elkka, Amaarae, Shygirl, & Lous and the Yakuza.