SANTA MONICA, CA. (Recording Academy) - The Recording Academy announced today that Susan Stewart has been appointed Regional
Director for the South region and Shannon Emamali as Executive
Director for the Washington, D.C. Chapter. Stewart will be responsible for overseeing and managing Member Services' South regional operations, both individually for the Nashville Chapter and overall within the South region as a partner to the Atlanta, Florida, and
Memphis Chapters. She will report to Nancy Shapiro, Vice President of Member Services, Regional Management. Emamali will develop and execute outreach programs, advocacy initiatives, professional development and networking events throughout Washington, D.C., and she will report to
Kelly Connaughton, Regional
Director for the East region.
"The Recording Academy is pleased to announce these new additions to our management team as we grow and strengthen our Member Services infrastructure," said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. "I am confident that with Susan's and Shannon's expertise, The Academy will continue to create the finest programs and services for our existing members, and reach out to new music communities."
Prior to joining The Recording Academy, Stewart served as Associate Executive Director and Director of the nationally recognized festival Tin Pan South festival for eight years at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). She was responsible for corporate fund-raising, sponsorships, marketing and event production for the association as well as the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. As associate director, she presented international music workshops — the NSAI Pro Series and Tin Pan South — television specials, songwriter showcases and awards ceremonies. Stewart received a bachelor's degree in communications with a concentration in marketing and advertising from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
As managing director of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, Emamali was responsible for securing corporate sponsors, developing and managing budgets and producing its annual awards ceremony among other music-related events. In addition, she worked with such organizations as the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary and the Recording Industry Association of America. She earned a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of Maryland, a law degree from George Washington University Law School and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.
The Recording Academy's 12 Chapters serve the music community through regional professional education and networking events, health and human services, advocacy initiatives, and music education programs for students of all ages, including GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Pro Sessions, and GRAMMY SoundChecks.
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs — including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (www.WhatsTheDownload.com).
