The NAMM Foundation Launches Search for Next Executive Director

CARLSBAD, CALIF.,  January 17, 2024 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, has announced a search for its next NAMM Foundation Executive Director to help fulfill its mission of strengthening the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. The announcement follows the decision by Mary Luehrsen, the Foundation’s longtime Executive Director and NAMM’s Senior Public Policy Advisor, to transition from the organization by September 30th of this year.

Mary’s imprint on the Foundation has been demonstrable, having molded and crafted the crucial work of the Foundation while pursuing valuable NAMM public affairs connections for the past twenty-two years. Beyond her passion as a resource on national and international music business policies and regulations, her notable contributions have included work throughout the creation of the Foundation's outreach and market-expanding programs. Her visionary ideas and leadership have resulted in thousands of music educators, college students, community nonprofit music service leaders and international partners meeting, learning and networking at NAMM’s signature NAMM Show, the largest global gathering of the music industry, opening later this week in Anaheim, CA. 

Luehrsen also expanded NAMM’s engagement with national and international music organizations and connected NAMM members to country and regional resources to expand music making opportunities. In the US, Mary was integral to efforts to transform the role of music education in national policy that resulted in federal law that strengthened policy and funding for music learning as part of a well-rounded education; policies that impact support for music education and opportunities for children to learn and grow with music. 

“Mary is close to all of our hearts in the NAMM family, and it will be hard to see her go” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “Her passion, intellect, and relentlessly positive efforts have laid a strong foundation for our future success and we are so grateful she has lent us her talent, mentorship and creativity, all of which have joyfully impacted millions of next-generation music makers.” 

Some of the Foundation’s key activities include the recently launched Careers In Music, a resource for school counselors, parents, as well as students readying for college that presents the many viable areas of music to consider pursuing; Best Communities for Education, celebrating school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education that is now in its 25^th year, signature sponsorship of Make Music Day – a celebration of music making around the world, GenNext which gives colleges students and faculty access to career-advancing programs and events at The NAMM Show and NAMM Foundation-funded music research that continues to advance perceptions and understanding about the role of active participation in music for all people everywhere.

NAMM has engaged Russell Reynolds to assist in leading the executive search. All prospective candidates are invited to reach out directly to the Russell Reynolds Associates team at NAMMFoundationED@russellreynolds.com with a resume and brief explanation of interest. 

Further details and specifics regarding the position can be found here:

https://www.nammfoundation.org/sites/default/files/NAMM_Foundation_Executive_Director.pdf

Learn more about The NAMM Foundation at https://www.nammfoundation.org/.

About Russell Reynolds Associates

Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory firm. Our 600+ consultants in 47 offices work with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the digital, economic, sustainability, and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture, and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations, our teams bring their decades of expertise to help clients address their most complex leadership issues. We exist to improve the way the world is led. www.russellreynolds.com

About The NAMM Foundation

Founded in 2006, The NAMM Foundation represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry. A supporting organization of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), The NAMM Foundation is funded through trade association activities and donations, including funds from this week’s upcoming NAMM Show, the largest global gathering of the music industry.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 15,400 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit namm.org. The 2024 NAMM Show will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center January 25 to 28.