Speaker

Tiffany Kerns

As both Vice President of Industry Relations & Philanthropy for the Country Music Association (CMA) as well as Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, Tiffany Kerns has shown unwavering dedication and advocacy to CMA’s members and the music industry at large, as well as paved the way in supporting the foundation’s mission to ensure the survival of music education in schools.

 

In her role as Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, Kerns oversees the strategic direction and management of all CMA’s membership events, initiatives and programming. By developing and enhancing new, robust and innovative CMA membership strategies, Kerns ensures that professional development pathways exist that align with the needs of both the member base and the future of the industry. Offering world class programming focused on mental health and wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion, research, leadership and financial security, Kerns amplifies the voices of each facet of the music business and equips all members to operate confidently and successfully within the industry. She celebrates excellence in the genre by highlighting the achievements of industry professionals across the music landscape, as well as leads CMA’s campus-based professional development initiative, CMA EDU, which gives college students a look into the industry and provides them with the tools they need to start their careers.

 

Joining the CMA Foundation in 2013 as the Community Outreach Manager, Kerns rose the ranks, taking the helm as Executive Director of the CMA Foundation in 2018. Established as CMA’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation has invested over $27 million across all 50 states. In her role, Kerns is responsible for the growth, development and execution of the nonprofit’s charitable investments by creating intentional partnerships and implementing an impact-driven grant process. With a steadfast focus on improving the philanthropic model of giving, Kerns has led the charge in enriching music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has access to a high-quality music education and every music educator is provided the resources they need to create a thriving program. Kerns works with every grantee organization to provide strategic planning, compliance, project management and community impact. She oversees advocacy efforts for the CMA Foundation at the state and federal level, which includes working with dozens of community partners, policymakers, educators and industry leaders to elevate the CMA Foundation’s mission.

 

Before joining CMA, Kerns was the Director of Development at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).  For over six years, Kerns filled various roles in special events and development. Driven by her passion to grow the organization and fueled by her exceptional leadership skills, singlehandedly, Kerns implemented new fundraising initiatives and opportunities across the Southeast and Pacific Northwest regions. After expanding her footprint in nonprofit management and learning the bio-tech industry in San Francisco, Kerns moved to Nashville to develop and strengthen the donor portfolio for CFF, ultimately leading her to CMA.

 

Kerns was named a Billboard Country Power Player in 2021 and 2022 and received the CMA Chairman’s Award in 2021. She was a 2018 Women in Music City Award recipient and led the CMA Foundation to receiving the 2017 National Stand for Music Award supporting music education advocacy. Kerns is a member of the Berklee College of Music’s City Music Advisory Board and serves on the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) board of directors. Additionally, Kerns is a member of the Arts Ed SEL Advisory Board as well as the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Advisory Board, where she continues to use her voice to place emphasis on growing and fostering DEI efforts throughout the music industry. Originally from Bradenton, FL, Kerns graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville with a degree in political science and a minor in business administration.