Merlin Engage Completes Third Successful Year, Strengthening Global Community of Female Leaders in Independent Music

This fall, Merlin celebrated the completion of the third year of Merlin Engage, its pioneering mentorship program designed to empower the next generation of female leaders within Merlin’s independent community.

Now in its third year, the program connects rising professionals within Merlin’s global membership with senior executives from the membership. Over the course of six months, the 2025 cohort participated in one-on-one mentoring, peer connections, and leadership training workshops. Engage is the cornerstone of Merlin’s commitment to fostering the next generation of female leaders.

This year’s program featured regular mentor-mentee sessions, skill-building workshops facilitated by executive coach Miriam Meima, and in-person meetups to strengthen personal and professional networks. New elements introduced in 2025 included increased mentor onboarding and support, additional resources shared with mentors and mentees throughout the program, and the expansion of the alumni community, which now provides participants with a dedicated forum for ongoing connection and support.

This year’s group of mentors featured a dynamic group of executives from leading Merlin members. Mentors included Amy Dietz (Partner, Exceleration), Anne Jenniskens (General Manager, Paradise), Bria Fisher (VP of Communications, EMPIRE), Chloé van Bergen (VP Operations, UK & EU, Secretly), Clare McKinney (Director, Commercial and Business Affairs, Domino), Emma Lomas (Head of Licensing & Creative, Beggars), Eniko Gallasz (Managing Director, WMMusicDistribution), Katie Alberts (COO, Reach Records), Liz Erman (Managing Director, Nettwerk), Marie Clausen (Managing Director, US, Ninja Tune), Megan Jasper (CEO, Sub Pop), Narin Karadaghi (General Counsel, Amuse), Nitsa Kalispera (EVP Global Recorded Music Supply Chain Operations, BMG), Patra Sinner (General Counsel, Symphonic), and Sue Lucarelli (President, Epitaph).

Joining this year’s program was an outstanding group of mentees, representing the next generation of independent music leadership. The 2025 mentees were Allison Kleshefsky (DSP Editorial & Partnerships Lead – Americas, IDOL), Diana Schweinbeck (Senior Director, Artist & Label Services, Cinq Music, USA), Dominique de Solminihac (Artist Marketing Manager South Cone, ONErpm), Francesca Caldara (Vice President, Recorded Music, UNIFIED), Gianna Archetti (Head of Operations, iGroove), Jovana Medic (Director of IDJTV/Director, IDJDigital), Lexie Viklund (Director of A&R, Better Noise), Lisa Riepe (Head of Sales & Marketing, Zebralution), Maiko Okabe (Global Campaign Manager, Warp Records), Maya Kalev (Label Manager, UK & Europe, Stones Throw Records), Naomi Bressani (Head of Digital, Republic of Music), Nele Knueppel (Director, Digital Rights & Distribution, Nettwerk Music Group), Nicole Abea (Director of Influencer & UGC Promotions, Marketing/Promo, Hopeless Records), Phoebe Petridis (Senior Manager, Digital Operations and Technology, Domino Recording), and Rachel White (Director of Audience Development (Marketing), Sub Pop). Participants highlighted the program’s impact in shaping their careers and building a sustainable support network across the independent ecosystem.

“The impact of Merlin Engage grows each year and is an incredible catalyst for the future of the music industry,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin. “We are building a community where women across our membership can obtain guidance, inspiration, and support as they take their next steps as leaders in the independent music industry. I’m excited that Charlie Lexton, the next CEO of Merlin, is the new sponsor for the 2026 program.”

Merlin Engage is also supported by long-time consultant Dan Nevin, with oversight and guidance from the Merlin Board.