Country Music Association's Leadership Shift: A Conversation on Continuity and Change
Sarah Trahern and Brittany Schaffer are collaborating during a three-month transition period as Schaffer prepares to become the CMA's next CEO. Schaffer, who has served on the board for over five years, will officially assume the role on January 1, 2027. The pair discussed their mentorship and the importance of understanding the organization's history during their first joint interview.
Trahern, who assumed leadership in 2014 following an interim appointment, is guiding the 60th anniversary awards ceremony scheduled for November. Meanwhile, Schaffer is spearheading the relocation of next summer's CMA Fest to the newly constructed Nissan Stadium, a project Trahern initiated but is now handing off.
Schaffer's decade-long legal career at Loeb & Loeb provides her with deep expertise in contract negotiations and rights management. She will also inherit a recently finalized six-year expansion of the CMA's partnership with Disney, which includes live streaming of the awards ceremony on Disney+.
This leadership transition could provide stability for CMA members and artists during a period of significant event changes, such as the festival relocation. Schaffer's legal background may reshape how the organization negotiates streaming and licensing deals, potentially affecting how country music reaches audiences. The deliberate mentorship approach could also set a precedent for preserving institutional knowledge within major entertainment trade groups.