MUSIC BUSINESS HUMAN

Kiki’s journey started as a singer / songwriter two decades ago. A few years along the way, she learned to play keys and to produce music so she could accompany herself live, hold her own in the studio and be clearer about the sound she wanted to make. Her first self-produced track landed her in a sweet artist/ writer development situation with Sony/ ATV and backing from BBC Introducing in the UK.

On said track, she sampled drums from a Sade track off a karaoke website while she was still learning how to make beats. But, after many years of producers telling her who to be - she'd made her own sound!

By day, Kiki self-funded music making by working as a Business Manager in the beauty industry and later in HR at tech startups -she would hit the studio at nights and weekends. In 2019, music making moved more to hobby status. Kiki joined concerts and artist services company Sofar Sounds/ Seated to work in People Operations, going on to become Global Head of People Operations. Working on the business side of the music industry, her world evolved beyond making music and her career mission became to help equip and empower artists in their careers. 

Today, Kiki blends her experience as a People & Operations Exec with music industry and artist knowledge as a consultant and startup advisor for tech, music tech and artist services companies globally through POP/ARTISTE. She is immersed in global music tech, building community and advancing gender equity in her role as Global Managing Director at We Make Noise, she co-chairs the Nashville chapters of shesaid.so and We Make Noise. She is also founder of the ark, a platform that will support artists’ understanding of how to navigate the music industry, launching in 2025.

Kiki wants to develop tools that truly serve artists and be part of driving the change that sees more women and marginalized communities at the top in the music industry.