21st century solutions for 21st century problems.
As a respected Vice President of Illinois’ AFL-CIO Executive Board and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, I'm no stranger to building powerful coalitions in support of leaders and legislative priorities; shaping policy changes urgently needed to protect today’s professional musicians. My work at the state level in Illinois positions me well to address AI, intellectual property, exploitative streaming revenues, and music venue monopoly concerns at the international level. 21st century problems require forward-thinking solutions, driven by curiosity and open collaboration. A vote for me is a vote for the AFM’s first female Vice President and a vote to Change the Culture, reinvigorate our mission, radically expand membership, and lead us into the modern era.
I'm a creative problem-solver, coalition builder, and empathy-driven leader with an intolerance for injustice. My platform to bring us into the 21st Century is built on outreach, education, visibility and inclusivity.
TRANSPARENCY
The AFM should operate with clear intentions expressed through open and meaningful conversations that build trust with Local Union leaders and all members. We must also acknowledge past missteps in order to forge new paths forward.
COALITION BUILDING
We need to energize our members and strengthen their investment in the union while building much broader coalitions with other unions, arts organizations, government AND business communities. We MUST expand the AFM’s inclusivity with effective educational outreach to musicians of ALL ages and ALL genres.
INCREASED VISIBILITY AND MESSAGING
The AFM needs a rebrand with clear messaging and instructions for advocacy.
The AFM should seize any media opportunity involving all issues that impact musicians and their families.
We must address streaming and build collective power to attack it.
BUILD LEGISLATIVE POWER
Relationships with lawmakers in all levels of government must be cultivated. In my experience, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle love music, musicians and any opportunity to discuss how to bring their communities together.
We need more friends in government. One way to accomplish this is to encourage AFM members to run for office.
The AFM should develop a campaign tool kit and connect members to local campaign resources.
FACILITATE THE SHARING OF IDEAS AND STRATEGIES
If elected, I will host monthly virtual meetings on important topics impacting locals. Open and transparent communication across locals means we can stop trying to reinvent the wheel by sharing our winning strategies with each other in the spirit of collaboration and solidarity.