Country Music Association Names Brittany Schaffer CEO, Set to Take Over in 2027

The Country Music Association (CMA) announced on June 8 that Brittany Schaffer will assume the role of chief executive officer. She will begin working with the CMA in September 8, 2026, and will officially succeed outgoing CEO Sarah Trahern on January 1, 2027.

Schaffer is currently the dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. While at Belmont, she oversaw the expansion of the college’s 90,000‑square‑foot campus on Music Row and launched a Center for Mental Health in Entertainment. The CMA highlighted that her initiatives have strengthened industry engagement and prepared students for careers in the music business.

Prior to Belmont, Schaffer spent more than a decade in the entertainment sector. She began as an entertainment attorney at Loeb & Loeb LLP, a firm representing media and technology clients. She later joined Spotify as Head of Artist & Label Partnerships for Nashville, where she helped shape the platform’s strategy for country, Christian/Gospel and Americana music.

Founded in 1958, the CMA is a trade association that promotes country music worldwide. It is best known for its annual CMA Fest and the Country Music Association Awards, which air each fall. Trahern, who has led the organization since 2014, announced her retirement earlier this year.

The CMA’s announcement comes amid a period of change for the country music industry, as streaming, touring and artist development continue to evolve. Schaffer’s background in streaming partnerships, legal work, and music‑business education positions her to address these challenges.

Industry observers note that her appointment signals a sustained focus on digital strategy. Spotify’s Nashville division has been a key player in the country‑music streaming market, and Schaffer’s tenure there included work on artist‑support programs and label collaborations.

The CMA’s transition plan is designed to preserve continuity for staff, the board of directors and industry members. By starting in September, Schaffer will become familiar with the organization’s operations before taking full responsibility in January.

Belmont University’s Mike Curb College has long been a hub for music‑business education. The recent $58 million gift from the Mike Curb Foundation enabled the expansion of the college’s facilities on Music Row, a historic center for country‑music production. The new campus features state‑of‑the‑art studios, labs and a performance space, as well as the mental‑health center that Schaffer helped launch.

Schaffer’s legal background at Loeb & Loeb LLP adds a regulatory perspective to her new role. The CMA will benefit from her understanding of copyright, licensing and contract negotiations.

The CMA’s leadership change follows a broader trend of music‑industry associations hiring executives with streaming and tech experience. Similar moves have been seen at other organizations seeking closer alignment with digital distribution and data analytics.

As the country‑music industry continues to evolve, the CMA’s new CEO will be expected to guide the association through shifts in audience behavior, touring economics and the growing importance of data‑driven promotion. Her experience in artist partnerships and educational initiatives may help the CMA support emerging talent and strengthen industry‑education linkages.

The CMA has not yet outlined specific strategic priorities for Schaffer’s tenure. However, the association’s website indicates that it will continue to focus on artist development, touring support and industry advocacy.

In summary, Brittany Schaffer’s appointment as CEO of the CMA represents a blend of academic leadership, legal expertise and streaming‑industry experience. She will assume full responsibility on January 1, 2027, following a transition period that began in September.

The CMA’s next steps will involve integrating Schaffer into the organization’s governance and preparing for her leadership role. The association’s board and staff will work with her during the transition to ensure a smooth handover from Sarah Trahern.