For immediate release June 23, 2023
The Board of Directors of SaskMusic is pleased to announce the appointment of Lorena Kelly as the new Executive Director, effective immediately. Lorena has been a long-time employee of the organization, most recently serving as the Communications and Operations Manager. With the departure of former ED Mike Dawson, Lorena was initially appointed as Interim ED while a thorough national search for a new leader was underway.
After reviewing all applications received and multiple interviews with potential candidates, the hiring committee, led by Sherry Peters of Saskatoon-based Transformative Organizational Consulting, determined that Lorena was hands-down the best candidate for this position.
SaskMusic President Shannon Josdal said, “Lorena’s knowledge of our industry, and her experience in a senior position over many years with our organization, gives her the skills and experience we need to run our organization. To ensure a thorough hiring process, we hired an outside consultant, posted the job nationally, and interviewed the top candidates before concluding that Lorena is absolutely the best person for the job. We’re really excited to see the organization grow under her leadership!”
Lorena has experience in a wide range of industry functions from artistic direction and event planning to delivering workshops and running marketing campaigns and has sat on dozens of regional, provincial and national boards, committees and juries. As a songwriter/artist/musician herself, she understands many of the challenges and rewards that come with a music career.
Lorena notes, “I am so pleased to be entrusted with this new role at SaskMusic. I believe strongly in the strength of our artists and industry professionals, and look forward to working with our staff and board to develop new programs and deliver excellent services to help our members succeed!”
SaskMusic (the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association Inc.) is a non-profit member-based organization representing the music industry in Saskatchewan. Funded primarily through Creative Saskatchewan, SaskMusic offers educational and training opportunities, as well as facilitates national and international showcase opportunities for Saskatchewan recording artists, among many other services and programs it offers.
For more information, please visit www.saskmusic.org or contact Lorena Kelly.
