2026 Honorees

Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten is an Emmy Award-winning, multi-platinum artist, songwriter, and activist whose music embodies empowerment, hope, and resilience. She first captivated the world with her breakout anthem “Fight Song” – an enduring cultural touchstone that topped charts globally, inspired movements, and has now been streamed over 3 billion times worldwide. With the release of “Stand By You (Rachel’s Version),” Rachel is launching a landmark new chapter with her upcoming album Fight Song (Rachel’s Version), arriving September 26. The project reimagines her most iconic songs from the Wildfire era with deeper resonance, including the undeniable anthem “Fight Song.” This release commemorates the 10-year anniversary of “Fight Song” while also celebrating Rachel taking ownership of her masters.

Photo by James Franklin

Carnie Wilson

Carnie Wilson is a five-time Grammy-nominated artist and a member of the hugely successful group Wilson Phillips. The daughter of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, she has carried forward her family’s musical legacy while building her own diverse career as a singer, songwriter, television host, author, actress, and mental health advocate. Beyond her chart-topping success, Carnie has hosted talk shows, game shows, and the cooking series Sounds Delicious with Carnie Wilson. She is a Food Network Chopped champion, an Emmy-nominated host of The Newlywed Game, and the author of three books. A passionate voice for mental health, sobriety, and women’s wellness, she speaks openly about addiction, postpartum depression, body image, and recovery—work she calls her “life’s purpose.” She continues to tour with Wilson Phillips and her daughter Lola, while also expanding her culinary ventures and serving as a paid spokesperson for Neurocrine Biosciences.

Photo by Ginger Sole

Judith Hill

Judith Hill is a gutsy and nuanced vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist whose career bridges work with icons like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Spike Lee. Featured in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, she first gained global attention singing at Jackson’s memorial and has since built a solo career with acclaimed albums including Back in Time (2015), Golden Child (2018), Baby, I’m Hollywood! (2021), and Letters from a Black Widow (2024). Her wide-ranging collaborations span Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Hozier, and more, while her film and songwriting credits further showcase her versatility.

Rhonda Smith

Rhonda Smith is a Canadian-born bassist, vocalist, songwriter, and clinician acclaimed for her versatility across jazz, funk, rock, and beyond. A McGill University jazz performance graduate and Juno Award winner, she began her career touring with leading Canadian artists before joining Prince as bassist and vocalist, a role that defined much of her career. She has also performed with legends including Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, George Clinton, Larry Graham, and Sheila E, among many others. Featured on the covers of Bass Player, Bass Frontiers, and Bassics, Rhonda has released two solo albums (Intellipop and RS2) and the single “Won’t Come Back.” After over a decade touring with Jeff Beck, she now holds down the bass for the house band on Jimmy Kimmel Live nightly.

Sophie Burrell

Sophie Burrell is one of the UK’s most exciting new guitar voices, blending technical precision, creativity, and charisma to build a devoted global following. From viral videos to high-profile collaborations with PRS Guitars, D’Addario, BOSS, EVH Gear, Neural DSP, and Mixwave, she has become a sought-after artist, leading sold-out clinics and festival masterclasses while inspiring the next generation of guitarists. Known for her approachable authenticity as much as her virtuosity, Sophie continues to expand her influence both on stage and online, with original music set to debut in 2025. In addition to being honored, Sophie will serve as the opening act for the 2026 She Rocks Awards and is hosted by PRS Guitars.

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Margaret Glaspy

Margaret Glaspy is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist known for her raw, guitar-driven sound, emotional fearlessness, and clear-sighted lyricism. Praised by The New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, MOJO, UNCUT, American Songwriter, Paste, and Consequence, Glaspy has earned a reputation for music that is urgent and deeply human—blending grungy intensity with poetic precision. Critics have highlighted her “passionate croak,” sturdy guitar work, and songwriting that confronts love, grief, courage, and existential doubt with unflinching honesty. Originally from Red Bluff, California, Glaspy began writing songs at age 15 and launched her career with the self-released Homeschool EP. After signing with ATO Records, she emerged as a major new voice in indie rock with her debut album Emotions and Math. Her evolving body of work continues with The Golden Heart Protector, further reflecting her instinct-driven approach and uncompromising artistic vision, and solidifying her place as one of the most compelling artists of her generation.

Photo by Marcus Lewis

Andreea Gleason

Andreea Gleeson is the Chief Executive Officer of TuneCore and one of today’s leading innovators in the independent music ecosystem. Since joining the company in 2015, she has helped transform TuneCore into a premier global platform for self-releasing artists, driving advancements in technology, education, and artist support. A fierce champion for gender equity, Andreea commissioned the groundbreaking Be The Change: Gender Equity in Music study to bring visibility to the challenges facing independent female and gender-expansive creators. Her leadership has earned her repeated recognition on multiple Billboard Power Lists, and she was named Music Week’s International Woman of the Year in 2022. Under her guidance, TuneCore has been honored as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and recognized by Crain’s as one of New York’s Best Places to Work.

Heather Dembert Rafter

Heather Dembert Rafter is a leading attorney in the audio, music technology, and digital media industries, serving as principal counsel at RafterMarsh US, P.C., where she provides sophisticated corporate, IP, and entertainment law guidance to creators, developers, and innovators across the globe. A former General Counsel of Digidesign, she played a key role in major industry-shaping acquisitions, including M-Audio, Sibelius, and Euphonix, and advises widely across the music tech investment landscape. Heather has held significant leadership roles within the American Bar Association, serves on multiple influential boards—including the Bob Moog Foundation, SoundGirls, and the Women’s International Music Network—and is a dedicated advocate for gender parity in both the legal and music industries. A Princeton and Columbia Law graduate, she continues to help shape the future of music technology through her strategic counsel, industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to empowering creators.

EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT – Kay Hanley, Executive Producer and Songwriter of “Kindergarten: The Musical”. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)

Kay Hanley

Kay Hanley is an Emmy- and Peabody Award–winning songwriter and the celebrated lead vocalist of the alt-rock band Letters to Cleo. Alongside her breakout success with the band, she has built a prolific career in film and television music, lending her voice to Josie and the Pussycats and contributing original songs to Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, DC Super Hero Girls, and the Emmy-winning We the People. She also co-wrote the music for Subspace Rhapsody, the first-ever Star Trek musical episode, and is a co-creator, songwriter, and executive producer of Kindergarten the Musical for Disney Junior. A passionate advocate for creators’ rights, Kay is the co-founder of Songwriters of North America (SONA), where she has been a leading voice for songwriter protections in the streaming era.

Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is an Emmy- and Peabody Award–winning songwriter, composer, and one of the music industry’s most influential advocates for creators’ rights. She has written charting songs for artists ranging from Amy Grant and Cher to Little Mix and Andra Day, and is a force in Kids & Family television with multiple Emmy nominations and wins for her work on Bubble Guppies, The Loud House, Julie and the Phantoms, and We the People. Michelle is also the co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Disney Junior’s Kindergarten the Musical, bringing her signature heart and craft to a new generation of viewers. As co-founder and CEO of Songwriters of North America (SONA) and the SONA Foundation, and a member of ASCAP’s Board of Directors, she is a leading champion for songwriters, driving landmark efforts to protect the value of music in the streaming era.

Lisa Worden

Lisa Worden is Senior Vice President of Rock & Alternative at iHeartMedia, Program Director for ALT 98.7 Los Angeles, and the host of the weekly show She Is The Voice, celebrating women in music. With decades of experience shaping the rock and alternative landscape, she previously spent more than 12 years at KROQ Los Angeles as Music Director and Assistant Program Director, helping guide the station’s music direction and champion both emerging and established artists. Lisa began her career in radio promotion at SBK and RCA Records before moving into programming leadership, and now oversees iHeartMedia’s Alternative and Rock teams nationwide. Recognized globally for her influence on music and pop culture, she was named 2022 International Music Person of the Year at MUSEXPO.

Lisa MacDonald

Lisa MacDonald is the Director of Vertical Marketing for Yamaha Corporation of America, where she leads initiatives supporting key customer groups, with a focus on music educators. A 25-year marketing veteran, she has expertise in community building, digital strategy, and content development, and previously directed marketing for Yamaha’s Band and Orchestral division. Lisa is a passionate advocate for women in music, serving as inaugural Chair and current Advisory Board member of the Women of NAMM Council, mentoring emerging leaders, and championing initiatives that increase access to music education nationwide. She also contributes her expertise to the Midwest Clinic and Midwest Clinic Foundation, and regularly speaks on marketing best practices for music industry professionals.

Reina Ichihashi

Reina Ichihashi is the Global Product Marketing Manager for Wind Instruments at Roland, where she leads the development and global strategy for innovative digital wind instruments. Since joining Roland in 2019, Reina has played a key role in shaping products like the Aerophone Brisa, bringing together engineers, designers, artists, and sales teams to ensure instruments meet the real needs of musicians. Guided by a philosophy of innovation and meaningful musical experiences, she helps connect technology with the emotional and creative lives of players worldwide, strengthening Roland’s role in advancing wind performance and enriching musical culture across the globe.

Susan Lipp – NAMM Female Entrepreneur of the Year

Susan Lipp is a pioneering entrepreneur, arts advocate, and champion for music education, serving as Chairman of Full Compass Systems, one of Wisconsin’s largest woman-owned businesses. For decades, she has advanced the arts and community through leadership roles with organizations including the Wisconsin Community Theatre Association, Madison Opera, and the Wisconsin Arts Board, and has supported the UW-Madison Jazz Program. Susan has also served 14 years advocating for music education in Washington, D.C., through the NAMM Foundation. A trailblazer at NAMM, she was among the first female board members and the first woman to serve on the NAMM Foundation Board. Her lifetime of leadership, advocacy, and philanthropy has earned her numerous awards, including NAMM’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year.

Vicki Peterson

Vicki Peterson is a founding member of the iconic 1980s band The Bangles, whose six million gold and platinum albums include the #1 hit “Walk Like an Egyptian” and the all-time biggest single by an all-female band, “Eternal Flame.” Beyond The Bangles, she has collaborated with Tom Petty, John Doe, Hootie & the Blowfish, Belinda Carlisle, and toured with The Go-Go’s. Vicki is also a member of The Psycho Sisters and the New Orleans songwriters’ collective, The Continental Drifters. In 2024, she teamed up with her husband John Cowsill to release their critically acclaimed Americana album Long After The Fire. Her work continues to resonate across generations, with millions of streaming listeners and hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and TikTok. Vicki was honored with a She Rocks Award in 2015!

Mixi Demner

Alecia “Mixi” Demner is the founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the hard rock band Stitched Up Heart, known for their high-energy performances and three full-length albums. Since forming the band in 2010, Mixi has led Stitched Up Heart on national and international tours with Godsmack, Halestorm, Volbeat, and In This Moment, and at major festivals including Sonic Temple, Welcome to Rockville, Rocklahoma, Aftershock, and Louder Than Life. Before Stitched Up Heart, she performed with Dragstrip Kitty and won a Fuse TV music competition that led to a record deal with Geffen Records. Mixi continues to shape the band’s creative direction, with a 2026 release under Judge & Jury Records. Offstage, she is a dedicated advocate for animal rescue, having fostered over 100 kittens and supporting organizations like Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles. Mixi was honored with a She Rocks Award in 2024.