OUR TEAM

STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ELISE ROLLER email LinkedIn

Elise Roller, the Women in Music Canada Entrepreneur of the Year and Manitoba’s recipient of the Kevin Walters Legacy Award in 2023, is founder, CEO, and artist manager at Misfit Music Inc. The Misfit management roster includes artists Leonard Sumner, Sierra Noble, and Super Duty Tough Work while Misfit’s innovative Artist Evolution program serves hard-working artists who require team support offering holistic mentorship, strategic planning, and equipping music creators with the confidence, skills, and tools needed to manage their own careers. Roller has been actively involved in the global music scene since 2008 experiencing many roles as a singer/songwriter, member of touring bands, tour manager, stage manager, talent buyer at Pride Winnipeg, and as the Industry Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music.

Outreach Director

GABRIELLE RUBAINE email LinkedIn

Gabrielle is an agent of change. As a performing artist who opened for acts like Mos Def & Snoop Dog, she still found support lacking for black female hip hop artists, like herself. This became the catalyst for embarking on a career path on the business side of the industry. She’s since managed Remix Project alumnae, Honee Haye, acted as Marketing Director of #BigTicket - a curated monthly showcase for the hip hop community show showcasing artists like Junior-T and Haviah Mighty, and worked at FACTOR in a variety of roles all focusing on outreach and diversity - implementing initiatives that continue to this day.

She is the founder and owner of Rubaine Consulting, a strategic marketing and event production company which founded and continues to run the INT’L Women's Day Music Summit for creators in the rnb, soul, reggae, cultural and indigenous music genres providing a safe space, educational programming and showcasing opportunities for marginalized communities.

Gab received the 2018 "Women in Media" International Women's Achiever Award for curating the online hip hop radio show, "Queens of the Game" (2014-2017), supporting artists  who identified as women or/and as LGBTQIA+. She is a George Brown College Marketing graduate, a member of MusicOntario R3 Advisory Committee and is the proud mother of two boys aged 13 and 2 years old.

Communications director

LARYSA MUSICK email LinkedIn

Larysa Musick was probably destined for a career in the music industry, considering her last name. She joined Music Managers Forum Canada (MMF Canada) in November 2022, supporting communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts on behalf of Canadian music managers and artists. Prior to joining MMF Canada, Larysa spent over eight years working as a freelance Communications Specialist, collaborating with clients including Botanical PaperWorks, Portia Ella, and Brandish Agency. She brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by her work managing integrated marketing campaigns (i.e. branding, publicity, digital marketing, email, and video production). In 2018, she graduated from the Creative Communications program at Red River College Polytechnic, majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications. Her industry and community involvement includes serving on Creative Manitoba’s Newcomer Artist Advisory Committee for the International Artist Outreach Program and as the former Artistic Director of Winnipeg Poetry Slam. Outside of her communications work, Larysa is a self-managed singer-songwriter currently recording her debut full-length album with producer Champagne James Robertson. She is also a music producer and co-founder of Little Cherub Productions, which hosts co-writing sessions for women, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals. The company is currently producing an full-length record by Winnipeg-based band STELLAR. Larysa is a member of Good and Plenty Producer’s Club and a published author.

ALI LUMUMBA email

Ali Shojania is a Toronto-based arts worker and musician whose background bridges organizational administration, community support, and creative practice. Alongside his work in healthcare administration and music industry operations, he contributes to grant development, programming, and artist outreach with a focus on accessibility and equitable support systems for emerging creators.

A classically trained pianist, vocalist, and songwriter, Ali studied in Centennial College’s Music Industry Arts & Performance program, where he developed skills in composition, performance, and contemporary production. He is also a member of the alt-rock band Rosewater Park and plays frequent shows across Ontario. Passionate about innovation, collaboration, and artist empowerment, Ali is committed to helping shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for Canadian musicians.

TESS RAY HOUSTON email

Tess Ray Houston is a Red River Métis music professional and creative based in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB). They joined Music Managers Forum Canada in 2025 and bring over a decade of experience across music, film, and visual arts. Tess is the founder of Midnight Bannock (MBNK), a music management, creative direction, and consulting initiative. Through MBNK, they guide artists in building their careers, shaping their brands, and telling their stories — with a focus on collaboration and amplifying Indigenous voices in the music industry. Along the way, Tess has leveled up their skills through programs like the Indigenous Music Office’s Cadence and Leadership Program, Canada’s Music Incubator Global Export Program, Women in Music’s Entrepreneur Accelerator, and MMF’s BESPOKE Program. An ACTRA-affiliated performer and multidisciplinary creative, Tess has appeared in national productions including the CSA-nominated Crave/APTN series Don’t Even and APTN’s Indigenous Day Live, and has also exhibited visual artwork in both solo and group shows. Their diverse arts experience gives them a rare ability to help artists shine on stage, online, and around the world.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2026/2027)

Chair

JILL SNELL (Jayward Artist Group)

Jill is a 30+ year veteran of the Canadian music industry. She began her career in artist development and marketing at major labels, including Island, A&M and BMG, before dedicating the past 15 years to the independent sector. Jill has co-founded four independent labels and project-management companies: The Orange Record Label (UMG), Angeline Entertainment (Fontana), Road Angel Entertainment (Warner), and Jayward Artist Group (The Orchard), a label she launched in 2019 in partnership with her flagship client, Tebey. Her management/project mgmt roster has included Tebey and Kyra Daniel, both current clients, as well as Matt Lang, Doc Walker and JJ Shiplett. She also currently consults on management for Bradley Hale. Jill served three terms on the CCMA Board of Directors and chaired two Juno genre advisory committees. She now serves on the CMAO Board and is in her second term with the MMF Canada Board. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Jill founded Music Rescues in 2015, an annual animal-rescue fundraiser held during the CCMA conference.

Vice-Chair Government & Community Relations

JERMAYNE CLAYTON (Awesome Productions & Management)

Jermayne Clayton is President of the Management Division and a driving force of Awesome Productions & Management; an up and coming artist management, label and publishing company. As President, Clayton is responsible for the ever-growing talented roster of electronic/dance artists/producers (Cyril Hahn, Adam K), Hip-Hop artists (Dom Vallie, DijahSB), Hip-Hop/R&B producers (Multi-platinum, Grammy and Juno nominated Producer Jordon Manswell), and artists (Juno nominated singer and songwriter Dylan Sinclair). Claytons love for music is undeniable - a passion that began at a young age. Rhythms from Sinatra, Gaye to Marley, continue to run through his Jamaican-Canadian blood inspiring him daily. Dedicated to amplifying Canadian talent, Clayton continues to drive each initiative with more passion than the last. With an artist-first mentality and keen musical ear, he is focused on building the brands of his roster - in a time where Canadian Music continues to be a shining light in todays' music industry.

Vice-Chair Business Development

MATT MAW (SUPERCONNECTED)

From Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Matt is an artist manager now based downtown Toronto. Matt brings over 10 years of multi-faceted music industry experience to his role leading Red Music Rising, along with a passion for artist development and a mission to amplify Canada’s Indigenous artists on the global stage. Throughout his career, Matt has worked with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, Indigenous and otherwise, including Tanya Tagaq, The Jerry Cans, Riit, Jeremy Dutcher, Broken Social Scene and BANNERS, among others. An honours graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts, Matt has previously worked alongside organizations including Arts & Crafts Productions, Six Shooter Records and New Constellations.

Treasurer

CARLOS PIÑEDA (MCMXVI Inc.)

Carlos Pineda is a Latino-Canadian entrepreneur and seasoned executive in the music and entertainment industries. As Founder and CEO of MCMXVI Inc., Carlos leads a boutique management company that develops and manages artists, producers, songwriters and creative talent. He worked with Kardinal Offishall for a decade and currently manages acclaimed artists and producers including Haviah Mighty, John Fellner, KTOE, BEDRM, Baby Linda and Notifi. He was named a 2025 Billboard Canada “Manager to Watch” and serves on the board of the Unison Fund. Carlos has helped shape the careers of both emerging and established talent across North America.

Secretary

ALLISON OUTHIT (All Out Arts Management)

Allison Outhit is a former artist and TV/film executive with deep music industry experience via executive roles at Outside Music, FACTOR, Six Shooter Records, Ishkōdé Records and others. She is bilingual in French, holds an LL.B, and is a Canadian Certified Inclusion Practitioner (CCIP) and activist for equity in the cultural industries. She now lives in Nova Scotia where she manages the artist Aquakultre and provides strategic planning and business affairs consultation on a freelance basis.

DIRECTORS (2026/2027)

DANNY REINER (SPOKE ENTERTAINMENT)

Danny Reiner is an accomplished music executive and entertainment manager with nearly two decades of industry leadership. Since entering the business in 2007, Reiner has spearheaded career strategies for a prestigious roster of chart-topping talent, including Grammy-winners Nelly Furtado and Alessia Cara, as well as Fefe Dobson, and Tyler Shaw.

DELVINA BERNARD (CO-FOUNDER OF ANSMA, FOUR THE MOMENT)

Delvina Bernard is a Canadian songwriter, vocalist, cultural tradition bearer, and educator whose artistry is rooted in heritage preservation and community empowerment. A visionary creative leader and social justice advocate, she blends music, scholarship, and activism to advance equity, amplify underrepresented voices, and sustain the living legacy of African Nova Scotian culture.

An 8th-generation African Nova Scotian whose ancestral lineage traces back to the Black Loyalists of 1783 and the Black Refugees of 1812, Delvina draws on this legacy as the heartbeat of her artistry and the driving force behind her career as a nationally celebrated singer-songwriter, visionary culture-bearer, and fearless architect of change within the East Coast and Canadian music industry.

JENN SOOKDEO (SOOKS Productions & Entertainment)

Jenn Sookdeo has been a prominent figure in the music industry across Canada for over a decade. She is manages Aysanabee, Canada’s first Indigenous Artist to reach #1 at Canadian radio, co-manages Montreal's alt-rock chart topping, awards winning, darlings Sam Roberts Band, and produces live events. Her multiple hats engage an expertise that allows her to fully support a musician’s journey to the stage while making the fan experience a memorable one. SOOKS also focuses on creating opportunities to nurture and guide the next generation of entertainment industry professionals and continuously strives to break down barriers for herself and others.

MIRA SILVERS (FORT Entertainment)

Mira Silvers is a multi award-winning music executive, agent, and CEO of FORT Agency, representing boundary-pushing artists across management, talent representation, global touring, and brand partnerships. She’s worked with talent like Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar, Oscar nominee Chadwick Boseman, Latin Grammy nominee Luedji Luna, and 3x Brit nominee Nia Archives. In 2024, She was honored with Women in Music’s “Excellence in Live Music” Award in addition to being a honoree on shesaid.so’s Alternative Power 100 and a Polaris Music Prize. 

As a respected thought leader, Mira has been a featured speaker at events like SXSW London, ILMC, Women in Music, and A2IM Indie Week. 

Additionally, Mira founded FEMINAE NOX, an equity-seeking initiative supporting racialized women and gender-diverse professionals in live music on stage and behind the scenes. As a mentor, her mentees have gone on to roles at Apple Music, TikTok, Stingray, and CCA, and earned accolades such as Women in Music Rising Leader Award, IQ Magazine’s New Bosses, the Arthur Award for Young Executive of the Year and credits delivering #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits for artists like Benson Boone, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Kehlani, Cher, etc.

REBECCA WINDJACK (Birthday Cake)

Rebecca Windjack is an artist manager and director of artist relations at Birthday Cake: a Winnipeg-based management, record label, and publishing company working with top artists like The Brothers Landreth, Leith Ross, and Begonia. With over 14 years in the music and entertainment industry, Rebecca has worked on management teams for notable artists such as Serena Ryder, Dear Rouge, and The Sheepdogs. In 2020, Rebecca began managing emerging singer songwriter Leith Ross. She's played a key role in the launch of Ross's global career, including the release of their breakout song “We’ll Never Have Sex,” signing with Republic Records and Secretly Canadian Publishing, releasing their debut album “To Learn,” and over 45 sold-out headline shows across North America, the UK, and Europe. In 2022, Rebecca joined the advisory council for Music Canada, and continues to serve the community as a mentor and advocate for equity and accountability within Canadian music.