NAMM YP I BY ERIN KESSLER From Mentee to President: Why NAMM YP Matters
W hen I joined the NAMM Young Professionals (YP) Board in 2022, I snapped a photo with Jeremy Payne, who was in his second year as president, and Jeremy McQueary, a past president. I didn’t know it then, but that moment quietly marked the beginning of my path toward leadership. At that same NAMM show, Jeremy Payne and I sat down for a long, honest conversation about why NAMM YP mattered — why
connect with each other, engage with the NAMM organization and provide additional support for young professionals who might otherwise be overlooked. Stepping into this role isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening and creating space for others to grow, lead and thrive. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors in the industry, including Gary Winder and former NAMM CEO Joe Lamond. Both challenged and encouraged me in ways that shaped who I am today. As the first female president under the NAMM Young Profes- sionals name, I carry that with pride, but also with perspective. This role isn’t about me. It’s about how far we’ve come and how we keep that momentum going by making space for new voices, fresh ideas and different perspec- tives. Representation matters, and I’m proud to lead that shift. NAMM YP to be called NAYMM — the National Asso- ciation of Young Music Merchants. The name changed and so has our industry. We see broader defini- tions of professionalism, diverse career paths and growing recogni- tion that leadership can look in many different ways. NAMM YP has never been about job titles. It’s about passionate people who show up, lift each other up and build something bigger than themselves. If you’re ready to be part of that, NAMM YP has a place for you — and we’re excited for what we’ll create together. MI
he joined, what drew him to serve and how mentorship had shaped his own career path. That conversation has always stuck with me. It reminded me that the NAMM community is built by people who continually show up, not for themselves, but to lift others — and I wanted to be one of those people. Now, as I step into the role of president of NAMM YP, I feel a deep sense of responsibility — and gratitude — for the opportunity to give that same sense of support and possibility back. I also want to recognize the im- pact of NAMM YP’s past president, Michael Santander. His leadership helped strengthen NAMM YP in tangible ways, from expanding
A note from NAMM YP’s new president.
member benefits to deepening our relationships through collabo- ration with NAMM and the broader industry. He worked with intention and care, focusing on building more value for NAMM members. Because of the groundwork Michael laid, we’re stepping into a new chapter with more momentum, along with a stronger sense of what this community can ultimately become. I’m proud to build on that foundation and continue creating space for young professionals to connect, grow and lead with the NAMM YP Board of Directors. As we look forward, my focus is simple: deepen existing connec- tions, expand access and awareness of NAMM YP, and ensure that every member sees a place for themselves here, whether they’re new to the industry or figuring out what leadership means for them. The foundation of NAMM YP is built on three pillars: mentor- ship, education and networking. I aim to keep growing each pillar, not just maintaining what NAMM YP has done, but expanding it in ways not even imagined yet. This means new opportunities to
Erin Kessler is the newly appointed president of NAMM YP and marketing director of Maple Leaf Strings.
22 I MUSIC INC. I JULY 2025
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