The WomenUP Project

In this episode, we meet Claudia Lopez, a boss woman in music currently standing out in the label management sector within the Latin music industry. As a Miami native, she transitioned into the industry later in her career to focus her energy on the industry she was genuinely passionate about, music, transferring her skills and experience and establishing herself as an expert in growing Latin artists at a global level. Claudia opens up about the misperception that there is little room for women in music, highlighting the importance of creating more safe and welcoming spaces for all. Using her own experiences, she now practices what she preaches, making the time to teach the new generation, celebrate others, and use vulnerability as a strength. Claudia encourages the next generation to know their value, be empathetic, practice patience with themselves and others, and pass on their knowledge to embody authentic leadership in the music industry.

In this episode, we meet Marli, an independent Spanglish-Pop artist on the rise based out of Miami. Having a strong desire to pursue a career in music from a young age, Marli set out to carve her path into the industry. She quickly discovered the challenges of being an aspiring artist and a female in a male-dominated industry. Navigating through many difficult situations, Marli speaks on the importance of staying true to your vision, not giving into other people's desires or dishonest intentions, building mental tenacity along the way, and standing your ground. She encourages the next generation to trust the process-- personally and professionally, always remember to practice self-kindness, own who you are, and honor your path.

In this episode, we meet Natali Nagles, a music and entertainment industry powerhouse. Recognized by Latin Billboard as one of the PR Women Behind the Latin Superstars, she has undoubtedly earned her seat at the table. Natali opens up about her journey, sharing how her biggest blessings were an outcome of her most difficult lessons. Going through a divorce did not stop her from showing up, excelling in a career she loves or providing for her biggest motivator, her son, proving that resilience through hardship is the best recipe for success. Natali encourages the next generation to find the one thing they love to do and pursue it, stay resilient through the hard times, lean on a strong support system, and persist because that will eventually open up doors.

In this episode, we meet María Laura (Lau) Quintero, an entertainment journalist, host, and content creator. Lau speaks about trusting the journey, touching upon self-doubt, societal pressures to get somewhere in life faster, and the importance of gratitude when your dreams become a reality. Sharing her journey, she highlights how being a "fan girl" from a young girl allowed her to gain success in media and communication. Today, Lau still pushes past her comfort zone, doing things that may feel uncomfortable to continue to grow, crediting this mindset as a result of being exposed to different cultures, people, and environments. Lau encourages the next generation of women to put themselves out there as they will not discover the endless opportunities available to them otherwise. She also emphasizes that by trusting your journey, you may inspire others to do the same, and that's what true empowerment is all about.

In this episode, we meet Melinda (Mindy) DeDominicis, an arts administrator connecting with her community through arts education, community engagement, sincerity, and kindness. Mindy speaks about being twice as good, a reality many women know to be true, whether they seek to shatter glass ceilings or lead inside companies or organizations. Her genuine words and actions highlight the importance of finding a healthy balance between picking your battles and speaking up. Mindy encourages the next generation to look at those they aspire to be, learn from their path, and analyze the end goals to create an organized plan to get there. She also emphasizes that time spent figuring it out is never wasted, helps prioritize our health, and results in happiness.

In this episode, we meet Vale Pintos, an inspiring independent artist making her voice heard and turning pain into power through her music. A Miami native, she is a complete artist who studied music, art, dance, and acting for over a decade. Sharing her never-before-told personal story, Vale Pintos preaches how she turned pain into power after recovering from a life-changing accident. This experience shaped her into an empowered woman, teaching her that opinions are not your reality and impossible is nothing once you learn to turn pain into power. Vale Pintos debuted as a soloist in the music business with "Me Canse De Ti," following her two singles "Galaxy Love" and Delincuentes." She encourages the next generation to learn from every positive or negative experience, use that knowledge to push past others' opinions, and always do what makes them happy.

In this episode, we meet Portia Dunkley, a double bassist, an educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and arts administrator. As a Miami native, Portia shares her journey, speaking on discovering how music can be a creative tool that helps build a stronger socially and emotionally healthy community from a young age. She dives into the power of being intentional while pursuing personal and professional projects and giving back, highlighting the importance of representation and seeing others who look like us. Being honest about the ups and downs women experience, Portia encourages the next generation to let go of the illusion of perfection, maintain and build relationships, treat others how you would like to be treated, and be yourself, even when you may be afraid.

Meet Regina Martiarena, a creative strategist currently leading artist relations efforts for Mexico and US Latin at Deezer. In true "girl talk" form, Regi sits down to share her authentic story, touching upon everything from her roots to her culture and her passion for music, and the importance of mental health. Openly speaking about how mental health, depression, and burnout, which still tend to be taboo topics, impact us all, she sheds light on tapping into vulnerability as a strength. A true powerhouse woman in music, Regi is a true example that you are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously. She encourages the next generation to stay kind to themselves and others and keep their inner peace while dream chasing inside the music industry.

In this episode, we meet Andrea Galicia, an accomplished music industry professional and currently the Director of Marketing and Sales at EMPIRE Latino. Going down memory lane, Andrea touches upon the importance of balancing the hustle! A powerhouse woman in music, she helped develop Karol G, Sebastian Yatra, and Jhay Cortez and helped break records with Luis Fonsi's "Despacito" and J Balvin's "Mi Gente." While her hustle helped her achieve great success, it also taught her to prioritize taking care of herself, how to walk away from toxic environments, and that it is possible to find balance in an industry that never stops. Andrea is a true example that you do not need to burn out to win and encourages the next generation to be good to themselves while hustling to reach dreams.

We meet Gigi Rivera, a Dominican-American host, content creator, and pop culture expert, in this episode. Recognizing the importance of the stories we tell ourselves, Gigi shares how words have the power to push us forward or hold us back. Using her journey to success, she highlights the importance of having faith and utilizing it to navigate the ups and downs that are so common in this industry. Encouraging the next generation, Gigi advises other women to take risks, be good to others, and, most importantly, be good to themselves as there is no better way to womenUP.

In this episode, we meet Karin Harvey, Founder of T- Zero Media and full-time Artist Manager at Wide-Eyed Entertainment. As a multi-faceted entrepreneur and digital marketing expert, Karin highlights the need to find role models in music and the importance of becoming those role models for the next generation. Recognizing the need for allies, she also shares her personal experience with male mentors and the positive impact their guidance had as she found her path. Also touching on challenges women in music and entertainment experience, Karin stresses the importance of self-care, practicing raw honesty with yourself, and setting boundaries.

In this episode, we meet Gabrielle Mella, a seasoned woman in music, artist manager, entrepreneur, and a true Latina jefa. Sharing her ten-year-long journey inside Latin music, she hits on the importance of saying yes to every opportunity, the courage to pursue different ventures, and finding life balance in an industry that never stops. Gabrielle recently launched studio 17, the first top-notch recording studios and content house located in the city center area of her home country, the Dominican Republic. A full-time Artist Manager for Empire Latino, Founder of Reversed Tornado, a digital marketing, artist development, and management company, and soon-to-be-mom to twin girls, Gabrielle is proof that we can have it all.

In this episode, we meet Akshada Bandekar, Founder of the UniHERse initiative, which uses music to spark change and promote safety and equality. Spreading awareness about gender bias from a young age and inviting others to join her in this mission, Akshada is a perfect example that all it takes is for someone to take the lead for others to follow. A powerhouse in the making, Akshada encourages every individual to take a stand for gender equality and be part of the generation that ensures equal opportunities for women.

In this episode, podcast host, Stephanie Hernandez, talks to the diverse women behind RichMusic, one of the top independent labels in Latin music. Highlighting the importance of "Finding Your Tribe" as a woman in music, each team member shares life stories, struggles, and lessons while celebrating the label's female talent. Following the theme of The WomenUP Project to UPlift one another, these stories serve to educate, advocate, empower, and support equality in the music industry.

Hosted by RichMusic's Marketing Manager Stephanie Hernandez, the first episode spotlights Professor Tonya Butler, Music Business and Management Department Chair at Berklee College of Music, the first woman and the first person of color to lead the program in its 30-year history. The inaugural episode dives into career paths in the music industry, sharing hurdles both speakers had to overcome in their respective careers, the importance of female mentorship, the need to know and advocate for your own worth, and much more.