Stanford Thompson (he/him) is an internationally recognized arts leader advancing musical excellence and equity in classical music. His expertise includes organizational management, strategic implementation, and stakeholder relationship development. He founded and led music education organization Play On Philly, served as the founding board chair of El Sistema USA, and founded and currently serves as executive director of Equity Arc. In those roles, he has led complex strategic planning and organizational design projects for local and national initiatives that provide equitable arts access for communities and artists. As a Principal with Goldsmith Strategies, he has guided the strategic development of dozens of organizations across the United States. He has also collaborated with WolfBrown on strategic planning, program evaluation, and establishing new ventures with the support of national institutional funders. Stanford serves on the faculty of the Global Leaders Institute and regularly speaks at major arts and business conferences and institutions. He has been a TED Fellow, presenting on music as a powerful tool for positive personal and societal change. Stanford holds degrees from The Curtis Institute of Music and New England Conservatory.

Jessica “Fortune” Fenner is a dedicated force in the Midwest music industry. With over 25 years as a DJ, event producer, and talent buyer, her work also spans artist representation and consulting under her brand, Apart.  

For the first seven years of her DJ career, Jessica was the only woman playing in her local nightclubs. Similarly, she became the first woman, and minority, in her then city to turn electronic music event production into a full-time profession. Responding to these dynamics, she launched the Apart Internship program and Apart Artists, mentoring and platforming emerging talent. Today, she also designs panels and workshops promoting awareness and equity and leads Apart Agency, providing representation for a roster of diverse DJs and producers.

An MMTCP certified mindfulness teacher and proud Public Allies alum, Jessica approaches all aspects of her work with intentionality and purpose. Combined with her chosen clean and sober lifestyle, she promotes self-care as foundational to supporting others and is a strong advocate for survivors and creating safer spaces in the industry and broader community.  

Whether as artist, entrepreneur, or mentor, Jessica's passion is creating access and shifting industry culture. 

Ricky Lyon is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Recording Academy, where he leads efforts that champion access, representation, and community across the music industry. A former GRAMMY U student, Ricky has grown within the Academy to help launch initiatives like the DREAM Network, a collective of member groups focused on advancing equity, culture, and community. He’s helped distribute scholarships and immersive student programs aimed at elevating underrepresented voices at every level. His work reflects a deep commitment to building a more inclusive future for the music industry.

Jeannie Tanner is an award winning composer with 5 ASCAP composer awards. She is a singer-songwriter, vocalist, piano player, trumpeter, percussionist and producer (music and podcasts), who performs and records her original music: a mix of pop, R&B, jazz and Latin rhythms. Jeannie's music has been used for many television shows including Single Ladies (VH1) produced by Queen Latifah), Dolly Parton's Heartstrings (Netflix), Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert (PBS/The Travel Channel), Revenge (ABC), Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo), Fox NFL Kickoff and Days of Our Lives (NBC). As a performer, Ms.Tanner has headlined at top Chicago area venues/festivals performing with her groups 3 MartiniJeannie(3MJ) and theJeannieTannerQuartet, including City Winery, Northalsted Market Days, Pridefest - BackLot Bash, Midsommarfest, Porch Fest, Taste of Chicago, Winter's Jazz Club, Andy's Jazz Club, the Park West, Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre, Ottawa 2 Rivers Wine and Jazz Festival, Pete Miller's, Eddie V's, Reggies, Davenport's, the Highwood Music Festival, the Redhead Music Festival and the Arts Clubs of Chicago. Ms.Tanner also performs solo (playing piano and singing) and duo (with bass player).