Speakers

President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) since its inception in 2014, Erin Benjamin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years. Originally as a touring and recording singer/songwriter and then as executive director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008). An unflagging champion for the live music sector, particularly during COVID-19, Erin also serves as chair of the board for Canada’s leading music industry charity The Unison Fund, and as a board member for the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Film Office. Over the years she has served a wide variety of organizations as a volunteer board member including Folk Alliance International, the Songwriters Association of Canada, the National Arts Centre’s Creation Fund, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest and others.

During the depths of the pandemic, Erin produced a weekly livestreamed show out of her Ottawa living room with a local artist helping to raise over $200,000 for local charities in need. She is the proud recipient of several awards including the Ontario 150 Award (2017), the United Way’s Community Ambassador Award (2019), Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Resiliency Award (2021), and the Spirit of Folk Award (FAI, 2022), all in recognition of her service to community.

Erin lives in a vibrant downtown Ottawa neighborhood with her two teenagers, beloved pandemic puppy and in her free time can often be found on the golf course in the pursuit of happiness.