FROM THE TOP GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION I VALEISHA BUTTERFIELD
Award winner, got his first job selling keyboards at Gui- tar Center in Houston. Every day, I’m blown away by these stories and everyone’s motivation to help this foun- dation on its journey. WHAT’S THE LAST MUSIC YOU STREAMED? I just downloaded Jhené Aiko’s new album and have been digging into it. I’ve also been going back through my Dolly Parton archives. May she rest in peace. I’ve al - ways loved Dolly but have a newfound appreciation for her fearlessness, boldness and powerful body of work. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE? There’s a principle that I learned when I was part of a management program at Harvard and that I used when
and sustainable plan around raising the funds needed to support more people. The biggest obstacle to making that happen — and the biggest opportunity — is reach- ing as many people as possible with our story. It’s not a hard sell at all. When I speak with people, one by one and conversation by conversation, they are blown away by the mission and want to support it. I want us as a foundation to be defined by how many young people we can reach, and I set aggressive goals. So the faster we can have more conversations with people who want to support us, the faster we can reach young people in communities across the country and truly put music in their paths. The more music they experience, the hap- pier they will be, and the happier a place our country will be for all of us. IS THE FOUNDATION FOCUSED
I was working at Google: Whenever your team wins, you step back, and whenever they fail, you step forward. I live by this. I’m big on collaboration, big on empowering my colleagues. Once they understand the goals that we’re striving for, I let them run and do their thing, knowing that I have their back. I want people to feel sup- ported when it comes to taking risks that make sense for the good of the business, and I also want to reward and celebrate the wins, big and small. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A VERY POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON MANAGEMENT.
PURELY WITHIN THE U.S., OR ARE YOU LOOKING INTERNATIONALLY AS WELL? I’m very interested in establishing an international presence, but I’m also mindful of our capacity. Right now, we are focusing on having a high level of quality and service for everyone who interacts with the Foun- dation in the U.S. I want everyone’s experience with us to be truly great. Once we further build staff and infra- structure, I’d love to explore expan- sion in other countries. WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO SEE
“WHENEVER YOUR TEAM WINS, YOU STEP BACK, AND WHENEVER THEY FAIL, YOU STEP FORWARD. I LIVE BY THIS.”
THE FOUNDATION FIVE YEARS DOWN THE LINE? I want to reach every school and organization that has a need, and get them instruments and music education sup- port to let them provide for young people a true pathway to their dreams. My intention is to grow our capacity to do that through partnerships and collaborations with other founda- tions. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when a young per - son has an actual instrument in their hands and possibilities become realities. If every school and non-profit that has a need also has instruments and music education resources in five years, then I’ve done my job. This might sound sappy, but it’s true — music is the most powerful tool in the world. It heals, unifies, and builds bridges. That’s my North Star with this job. IF YOU WEREN’T WORKING IN THE MI INDUS- TRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE DOING FOR WORK? I’d be a lawyer in North Carolina following in my dad’s footsteps, maybe running for office. And I’d be miserable wondering, “What if I’d pursued music like I wanted to?” MI
Work is hard enough as it is, and I don’t want to make it any harder. When I work with teams, we have fun, clearly set our goals and have a good time reach- ing those goals. Accountability is also key, and I model that by holding myself accountable, first and foremost. Knowing what you know, what you don’t know and when to ask for help — all of that is so important. IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE EGO FIGURES INTO HOW YOU RUN AN ORGANIZATION. I’m at a stage in my career where I measure success by seeing other people win. Earlier in my life, it was all about me winning, but now I’m bored with that. I want to celebrate professionals who are rising and gaining power and influ - ence to do great things. I’m not sunsetting anytime soon, but elevating those around me, and getting out of their way, is big for me right now. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’RE CURRENTLY FACING AT THE FOUNDATION? Resources. We’re going to have to develop a strong
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