Recognizing the women who build the music industry
Women Behind the Sound is a national civic recognition initiative stewarded to honour the women leaders, producers, executives, and culture-builders working behind the scenes across Canada’s music ecosystem.
Each year, the initiative is adopted by a new host city, creating a growing cross-country record of leadership and impact.
Women Behind the Sound is a growing national record dedicated to public recognition, storytelling, and long-term industry visibility for women and gender-diverse leaders shaping Canada’s music industry from behind the scenes.
The music industry runs on more than performers. It is powered by producers, publicists, marketers, executives, sound engineers, managers, venue operators, funders, and cultural strategists. For decades, many of these roles have been held by women whose work has shaped careers, festivals, cities, and cultural movements without proportional visibility or formal recognition.
Women Behind the Sound exists to change that. It exists to honour their contribution, preserve legacy and build a public record of leadership for future generations.
Our Purpose
The initiative was first formally recognized when the City of Vancouver proclaimed February 25 as “Women Behind the Sound Day,” in partnership with the Let’s Hear It Vancouver JUNO Host Committee ahead of the 2025 JUNO Awards.
What began as a local recognition has since evolved into a framework that future host cities, industry bodies, and partners can adopt and expand.
Origin Story
Honourees
The Women Behind the Sound Honourees Archive is a growing national record of women who have shaped Canada’s music industry from behind the scenes. Each honouree represents leadership, innovation, mentorship, and sustained impact across sectors including live events, recording, broadcasting, artist development, cultural strategy, and community building.
This archive will continue to expand city by city, year by year, documenting the women whose work sustains and advances the industry.
Lindsay MacPherson
Executive Director,
Music BC
Savannah Wellman
Co-Founder,
Women in Music - BC Chapter*
Julie Fowler
Executive Director,
BC Music Festival Collective*
Simone Grewal
Vice-President,
BC Association of Broadcasters*
Submit a Nomination
Nominations are an opportunity to formally acknowledge individuals whose long-term work has strengthened the industry, supported artists, built infrastructure, advanced culture, and shaped music communities behind the scenes.
Learn more to see if you are eligible.