CMA STRENGTHENS OPERATIONS WITH KEY PROMOTIONS AND NEW HIRES 

Emily Evans, CMA Senior Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

Emily Evans has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations, advancing from her previous role as Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations. With more than a decade of experience at CMA, Evans plays a vital role in driving the organization’s mission and strategy through high-level project management, cross-departmental collaboration, and operational oversight of key teams including Ticketing, Event Production, Insights and Business Intelligence, and Office Operations. In stepping into this new senior leadership position, she has taken over direction of the Strategic Partnerships team, which aims to elevate the reach and success of CMA’s marquee events through brand sponsorships, marketing collaborations, and integrated campaigns within CMA’s three broadcast specials on ABC. Evans was also instrumental in solidifying SoFi as the first ever presenting sponsor of CMA Fest—one of the organization’s most prominent and impactful partnerships to date. Before joining CMA in 2014, she held positions with st8tmnt, 13 Management, and MAC Presents. Evans reports directly to CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern.

“Emily has long been a key driver of CMA’s strategic direction and operational excellence,” says Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer. “Her deep understanding of our business, paired with an exceptional ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects, has made her an invaluable asset to our organization. From overseeing some of our most high-profile events to solidifying game-changing partnerships like SoFi, Emily continues to play a critical role in CMA’s growth and impact. I’m thrilled to see her step into this elevated leadership position and look forward to what she’ll accomplish next.”

Jenny Methling, CMA Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships Photo Credit: Chrissy Yoder

Jenny Methling has joined CMA as Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships after serving in a temporary role on the team. In this new role, she will oversee CMA’s Brand Partnerships department, guiding a team focused on brand sponsorships, integrated marketing, digital media collaborations, and premium event partnerships across the organization’s flagship events and television properties. Methling brings deep expertise in sales strategy, account management, and mission-driven brand alignment, having most recently served as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at Musicians On Call. There, she led a broad portfolio of partnerships designed to drive national visibility, philanthropic impact, and long-term growth for the organization. At CMA, she is responsible for defining the vision and infrastructure for the Brand Partnerships team, building streamlined internal systems, and collaborating cross-functionally with CMA teams to elevate the reach and success of the organization’s most high-profile initiatives. Methling reports to Evans, Senior Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations.

“Jenny brings a powerful combination of relationship-building expertise, strategic vision, and a deep passion for purpose-driven partnerships,” says Evans. “She is a great addition to our team with her demonstrated ability to match brands with worthwhile causes, as well as her leadership in creating scalable infrastructure and spurring development. From the moment she joined CMA in a temporary capacity, Jenny immediately showed the initiative, wisdom, and teamwork that continues to drive success throughout our organization. I am so excited to formally welcome her to this position and see how she will influence our brand partnerships going forward.”

Additional CMA promotions and new hires include:

• Devin Ford has been promoted to Senior Manager, Social Media, having previously served as Manager, Social Media. Ford reports to Amanda Eckard, Senior Director, Creative and Content.
• Luke Johnson has been hired as Staff Accountant, having previously held the position of Staff Accountant with Wilson Bank & Trust. Johnson reports to Leslie London, Senior Manager, Accounting.
• Zarah Goldberg has been hired as Video Content Creator, having previously held the position of Digital Marketing Coordinator with Fox Nose Records. Goldberg reports to Ford, Senior Manager, Social Media.
• Liliana Manyara has been hired as International Industry Relations Coordinator, having previously held the position of Licensing Coordinator with SESAC. Manyara reports to Meredith Goucher, Director, International Relations and Development.

Devin Ford, CMA Senior Manager, Social Media
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Devin Ford

Luke Johnson, CMA Staff Accountant
Photo Credit: Britney Buckwalter/CMA

Zarah Goldberg, CMA Video Content Creator
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Zarah Goldberg

Liliana Manyara, CMA International Industry Relations Coordinator
Photo Credit: Connie Grant