Dr. Chelsey Green has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Black woman to hold the prestigious position of chair of the board of trustees for the Recording Academy. She takes over from Tammy Hurt, who has held this significant role since 2021. This historic transition marks a groundbreaking moment in the Recording Academy’s legacy, as it is the very first instance where two women have consecutively occupied the top leadership position within the organization, highlighting a progressive shift towards greater representation and diversity in the music industry.

At just 39 years old, Dr. Green has also set the record as the youngest individual ever elected to the role of chair. Previously serving as the vice chair under Hurt, Dr. Green was chosen during this year’s annual board of trustees meeting, with her official term commencing on Sunday, June 1. Alongside her, Evan Bogart was appointed as vice chair, Jennifer Blakeman took on the role of secretary/treasurer, and Hurt has been designated as chair emeritus, further emphasizing the Academy’s commitment to strong leadership and innovative governance.

Throughout the history of the Recording Academy, only two other women, aside from Hurt and Green, have held the title of chair. Leslie Ann Jones served as chairwoman from 1999 to 2001, followed by Christine Albert, who held the position from 2013 to 2015. This highlights the significant strides being made towards inclusivity and the recognition of women’s contributions to the music industry and the Academy’s leadership. The presence of these women in top positions reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need for diverse voices and perspectives in shaping the future of music.

Dr. Green stands as the third Black officer to be elected chair of the Academy, following the notable tenures of Jimmy Jam (2007-2009) and Harvey Mason Jr. (2019-2021). Mason’s leadership has since transitioned to the role of CEO of the Academy, showcasing a continuous evolution in leadership that seeks to enhance the Academy’s mission and outreach within the music community.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new leadership team, Mason stated, “I am honored to welcome both our newly elected board and national officers to the Recording Academy, comprised of passionate and talented leaders who deeply care about music and the individuals who create it.” He emphasized that the collective expertise of the new board will be instrumental in advancing the Academy’s goals and implementing meaningful changes that resonate with the music community at large.

The elected officers of the Recording Academy dedicate their time and expertise to serve the organization, playing a pivotal role in shaping its strategic direction and initiatives. They collaborate closely with the CEO and senior management team to fulfill the Academy’s mission, which focuses on advocating for music professionals, providing education and direct support, and highlighting exceptional musical achievements. This collaborative effort is vital in ensuring the Academy remains relevant and impactful in an ever-evolving music landscape.

Let’s delve deeper into the profiles of the top four officers of the Recording Academy, each bringing unique talents and experiences that contribute to the organization’s vision:

Dr. Chelsey Green is not only a prominent recording artist but also an accomplished entrepreneur and educator. As the dynamic bandleader, violinist, violist, and vocalist of her ensemble, Chelsey Green and The Green Project, Dr. Green artfully blends her classical training with diverse genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. She has an impressive discography, including five studio projects, with one of her albums, Chelsey Green & the Green Project, achieving a spot on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart in 2014. Dr. Green has shared the stage with renowned artists including Kirk Franklin, Lizzo, Samara Joy, Stevie Wonder, The War and Treaty, and the Wu-Tang Clan. She has also made significant contributions to orchestral performances with prestigious ensembles like the National Symphony Orchestra and the United States Air Force Band. An advocate for music education and equity, Dr. Green facilitates educational concerts, artist residencies, and community workshops, and holds a position as an associate professor at Berklee College of Music, shaping the next generation of music professionals.

Evan Bogart is a highly regarded songwriter, producer, and creative executive, responsible for crafting chart-topping hits for global superstars such as Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Rihanna. As the son of the legendary Casablanca Records founder, Neil Bogart, Evan was immersed in the music industry from a young age. He began his career as a teenager in the Interscope Records A&R department, where he worked on influential projects with artists like 2Pac and Eminem. His career has since evolved into artist management and booking, representing acclaimed acts like Maroon 5 and OneRepublic. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Seeker Music. Bogart has been recognized by Billboard twice on its 40 Under 40 list and has been included in the R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list. Recently, he was the executive music producer and composer for the independent feature biopic Spinning Gold, which is based on his father’s legacy, and he also contributed to the musical-feature film, Juliet & Romeo, where he co-wrote and produced all original music. Furthermore, Bogart is the chair of the Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing, further emphasizing his commitment to the craft of songwriting.

Jennifer Blakeman serves as the chief rights and royalties officer at Seeker Music. With over four decades of experience, she has played a crucial role in nurturing the careers of many of the world’s most prominent artists and songwriters. Blakeman has held various senior executive and creative positions within major and independent publishing companies, record labels, and film studios, including Atlantic Records, one77 Music, Universal Music Publishing, Universal Pictures, and Zomba Publishing. An accomplished musician herself, she is an ASCAP songwriter and publisher, and was once signed with her band to Warner Bros. Records. In the 1980s, she toured as a keyboardist for iconic artists such as Billy Idol, Brian Wilson, and Savage Garden. For the past two decades, Blakeman has been an adjunct professor at New York University, where she has educated over 1,000 students in the music business degree program, imparting her vast knowledge and experience to aspiring industry professionals.

Tammy Hurt is a distinguished TV producer and drummer, renowned for making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ officer in the Recording Academy’s history. Her extensive contributions extend to serving on the boards of the Latin Recording Academy, the Grammy Museum, and MusiCares. Hurt is also the founder of Placement Music, a boutique entertainment firm that specializes in creating custom music and scoring for high-profile clients, including FOX Sports, Paramount Pictures, CBS, and the NFL. Her passion project, Sonic Rebel, creatively fuses high-fidelity soundscapes with mashups and live drum remixes, showcasing her innovative approach to music production. In early 2025, Hurt received accolades from Billboard, Alicia Keys’ She Is the Music initiative, and the Atlanta City Council for her contributions to the industry. Additional recognitions include being named one of Catalyst Magazine’s Top 25 Entrepreneurs and receiving the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEO award, further solidifying her status as a leader in the music community.

Every two years, the voting and professional members from the Academy’s 12 chapters participate in their respective chapter board elections to elect their chapter’s governors. Among the trustees who serve on the national board, eight are elected by voting or professional (non-voting) members of the Academy, while 30 are elected by the individual chapter boards. The remaining four seats on the board consist of national trustee officers, including the chair, vice chair, secretary/treasurer, and chair emeritus, all of whom are elected by the board of trustees every two years. It is important to note that national officer positions on the board of trustees are subject to a maximum of two consecutive two-year term limits, ensuring a rotation of leadership and fresh perspectives within the Academy.

The Academy has also announced the members of its 2025-27 board of trustees, which features 19 newly elected or re-elected members. This diverse group includes seven Grammy winners, such as artists Ledisi and Avery Sunshine, songwriter Jonathan Yip, arranger Sara Gazarek, music supervisor Julia Michels, producer Cheche Alara, and engineer/mixer Reto Peter, further emphasizing the Academy’s commitment to excellence in the music industry and its dedication to recognizing outstanding talent.

Explore the Comprehensive 2025-27 Board of Trustees

Below is the complete list of the members of the Recording Academy’s 2025-27 board of trustees, arranged in alphabetical order by first name. An asterisk (*) indicates those who were elected or re-elected in this current election cycle, while others are midterm members.

Dr. Alex E. Chávez*

Armand Hutton*        

Ashley Shabankareh

Avery*Sunshine*       

Carl Nappa*

Cheche Alara  

Dr. Chelsey Green     

Dani Deahl

Dave Gross    

Divinity Roxx*          

Donn Thompson Morelli “Donn T”*

EJ Gaines       

Evan Bogart   

Fletcher Foster                       

HENNY

Jennifer Blakeman

Jessica Thompson

Jonathan Yip*

Julia Michels*

Julio Bagué*  

Ken Shepherd

Lachi*

Ledisi*           

Maggie Rose*

Marcella Araica*        

Maria Egan    

Matt Maher*

Ms. Meka Nism          

Mike Knobloch

Nikisha Bailey

Reto Peter*     

Sara Gazarek  

Sue Ennis*     

Tamara Wellons

Tami LaTrell*

Tammy Hurt

Taylor Hanson

Teresa LaBarbera*

Terry Jones

Torae Carr

Wayna*