President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association since its creation in 2014, Erin Benjamin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years – first as a touring and recording artist and then as Executive Director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008). Currently Erin sits as a Board Member for the Ottawa Film Office, the Ottawa Board of Trade, the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, and the Unison Benevolent Fund. In 2017 she enjoyed roles as both the Vice-chair of the Ottawa Juno Host Committee and Co-chair of Canadian Music Week. Erin has been honoured with the United Way’s Community Ambassador of the Year Award for her work in producing the impactful “After the Storm” benefit concert, raising tens of thousands of dollars for victims of Ottawa’s devastating 2018 tornadoes. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Erin has produced a livestream concert out of her home every week for legendary Ottawa entertainer Dave Kalil, helping to raise over $55,000 (and counting) for local charities.
Can you name a woman who continues to inspire you, and how?
I have to name two: the amazing Shauna de Cartier and Helen Britton, of Six Shooter Records. These women have taught me so much over the years, whether they know it or not. I’ve always marveled at their confidence, willingness and ability to speak their minds, always 100% of the time doing their own thing their own way, elevating others, owning their shit and being gorgeous, smart, funny and soooooo together – like always. How do they do that??
What are some tips or strategies, resources/groups you have used to overcome barriers that many women often face in their careers?
Be tuned in to what doesn’t feel good and don’t be afraid to call it out. Took me 20 years to learn that, to have the confidence to say stuff I always wanted to say but just smiled instead. Build your professional (and personal) networks authentically. Seek out the unusual suspects and let those relationships take you places you didn’t know you wanted to go. Give people a chance to change, and move on if they don’t, won’t or think you’re the one who needs fixin’. Lean in, but start from a place of generosity, always.