Sherrese Clarke Soares

Founder/CEO

Clarke Soares is proud of the partnerships her firm made across music and film last year. In October, HarbourView added the share of Fleetwood Mac’s recorded royalties owned by Christine McVie’s estate and a share of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s publishing and recorded-music assets. “Creating a next-generation firm that looks and operates differently is an accomplishment we’re proud of,” she says. “We feel we’ve carved out a special space in the marketplace and have been able to create a successful, diverse portfolio with thousands of titles covering many genres, eras and artists in our diversified and continuously growing catalog of roughly 26,500-plus songs.”

Denise Colletta

Senior vp/head of music

Colletta is not only proud “to have provided thought leadership and guidance to many executives across the music industry amid a volatile and financial landscape,” but champions her work to “mentor the next generation of bankers and executives.” With nearly 25 years at City National Bank, she’s another long-standing, effective presence at the company helping to finance the music industry. Former vice chair of entertainment banking Martha ­Henderson — also a Women in Music honoree in previous years — retired in February after 40 years with the organization.

Mary Ellen Jelenek

Senior vp of global brand marketing and sponsorships

With Jelenek playing a key role in its marketing, American Express has “reinvented the modern-day talent partnership by working hand in hand with artists and their teams to bring their vision and personality to life, while bringing our card members closer to their favorite artists and one-of-a-kind experiences,” according to the company. In 2023, card members had access to presale tickets; limited-edition merchandise; global pop-ups in New York, London, Seoul and Tokyo; exclusive concerts from Olivia Rodrigo; dedicated checkout lanes at festivals Coachella and BST Hyde Park for Blackpink; and immersive listening stations for Ed Sheeran’s new album.

Pam Malek

Managing director

Malek’s firm, The Colony Group, helped guide the finances in 2023 for a major international rock tour (the acts could not be identified due to rules of client confidentiality). “We faced many challenges of international touring after COVID-19, which included increased costs, international tax planning and negotiating local costs with promoters in various countries,” she says. “We are extremely grateful to support our clients during this challenging process so they can focus on what they do best.”

Nari Matsuura

Partner/co-leader of the music economics and valuation services practice

Over the last 12 months, Matsuura and her team have led over 400 music asset valuations valued at more than $9 billion, including one for the Round Hill Music Royalty Fund, which Concord acquired in October for about $470 million. Matsuura, who also serves on the BMI Foundation Artistic Advisory Panel, says that deal “harnessed capabilities across Citrin Cooperman and showcased how exceptional, responsive and team-based our practitioners are.”

Lylette Pizarro

Founder/co-managing partner

Lynn Hazan

Co-managing partner

Last year was “an exceptional year of growth and expansion” for music investment firm Influence Media Partners, Pizarro says. Highlights included major partnerships with Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer Jesse Frasure and the company’s first name, image and likeness deal with Enrique Iglesias. IMP also celebrated major publishing acquisitions with Logic and Grammy-winning producers 30 Roc (“The Box,” Roddy Rich; “Rake It Up,” Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj) and Dre Moon (“Heartless,” The Weeknd; “Drunk in Love,” Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z). “We furthered our mission of building brand value,” Pizarro says, “and championing the legacy works of these incredible artists who have made some of the biggest creative contributions to contemporary music.”

Sally Velazquez

President

In 2023, Velazquez achieved a longtime goal: getting her client 21 Savage his green card by working with attorney Dina LaPolt, allowing him to mount a European tour. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested the U.K. native in 2019 for overstaying his visa.) Empower also helped client Tinashe sign with Nice Life Recording Company last year. In 2024, the firm is setting its sights on an international expansion: “We have started gaining more international clients,” Velazquez says.