BEVERLY HILLS, CA (March 1, 2019) – Live Nation today announced that veteran concert promoter Ali Harnell has joined the company to oversee a newly created unit, Women Nation.
At the helm of Women Nation, Harnell will oversee its efforts to advance and support women in the live music business, as well as create and develop female-led and female-driven content, the company said in a press statement.
With an employee base that is 45% female, Live Nation was quick to tout its existing initiatives and programs, which include 21 chapters of We Nation, an employee-led group focused on career development and networking for women; Future Nation, a gender-balanced career development program; and the Women Nation Fund, an investment fund designed to provide capital to female entrepreneurs in the promotions and events industry.
Harnell’s portfolio includes expanding Live Nation’s current slate of female-facing programs and seeking partnership opportunities with external industry groups.
She will report to Michael Rapino, CEO and President, Live Nation Entertainment and Bob Roux, President, US Concerts and be based in Nashville and Los Angeles.
“I am truly excited to dive into this new venture where I can combine my experience and relationships with my passion to help drive this historical and aspirational time of change for women,” said Harnell. “It feels especially apropos to announce this on the first day of Women’s History Month.”
Harnell most recently served as Senior Vice President of Global Touring for AEG Presents. Prior to that, she spent 14 years as SVP for AEG/The Messina Group, overseeing the operations and talent buying for their Southeast regional business. In that capacity, she also co-created and curated talent for U.K. based country music festival, Country2Country.
Earlier in her career, Ali ran Pace Concerts Southeast where she booked the Starwood Amphitheater, played a key role in reviving concert activity at the Ryman Auditorium, and created the three-day music festival Nashville River Stages.
She began her career in 1990 in New York City at the William Morris Agency before joining Delsener/Slater Enterprises where she served as Vice President, booking key venues in the market such as Irving Plaza, Roseland Ballroom.
“Ali’s decades of experience and insight into the opportunities and challenges for women in the live music business make her a powerful champion for the women of Live Nation,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment. “Our goal is to work together to find scalable ways to empower the women at our company, and across the industry as a whole.”
