Sarah McLeod appointed as Chair of Australian Women in Music (AWM)

Sarah McLeod has been named as the new Chair of Australian Women in Music (AWM), a significant position reflecting her contributions to the music industry. As a founding member of The Superjesus, a three-time ARIA Award-winning band, McLeod has been at the forefront of Australian rock music for over three decades. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, she has become a role model for female and gender-diverse artists navigating the complexities of the music landscape.

AWM is an organization dedicated to empowering female and gender-diverse artists, musicians, and music practitioners across all facets of the industry and genres of music. Their mission encompasses promoting visibility for female First Nations and multicultural artists, acknowledging women in remote and regional communities, highlighting female producers, engineers, and technicians, supporting emerging artists, and cultivating industry leaders.

McLeod’s appointment as Chair is a natural progression of her advocacy work and commitment to equity within the music industry. Serving on the Board of Directors for the past year, McLeod has collaborated with founder Vicki Gordon to promote inclusivity and drive substantial change within the organization.

Expressing her motivations, McLeod shared, “I’ve spent a couple of years watching Vicki Gordon move and shake this industry to provide opportunities for women and gender-diverse folk. Her commitment to inclusivity and equality is nothing short of inspiring! I signed on to the Board of Australian Women in Music (AWM) a year ago because I felt it was time to give back to the industry which has kept me afloat for 30 years.”

As the newly appointed Chair, McLeod aims to spearhead AWM’s mission by addressing the gender research gap in the sector and expanding the organization’s impact beyond its current programs and initiatives. By focusing on these objectives, she hopes to further support and empower female and gender-diverse artists in the music industry.

Established in 2018 by Executive Producer Vicki Gordon, the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) seeks to address chronic gender inequality prevalent in the Australian music industry. Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon welcomed Sarah McLeod’s appointment to AWM, emphasizing the importance of her leadership in fostering gender equality and inclusivity within the industry.

Moreover, soprano Nina Korbe has been welcomed as AWM Board Observer, contributing her expertise as a strong advocate for Indigenous Voices. Korbe’s involvement with various music organizations and her commitment to championing Indigenous artists aligns with AWM’s mission to amplify diverse voices within the music industry.

Outgoing Chair Jennie Sager, known for her leadership and dedication, has played a key role in guiding AWM through a period of growth and transition. With Sager’s continued support as a Non-Executive Director, the organization plans to maintain strategic leadership and evolve under McLeod’s chairmanship.

AWM’s core mission is to support and promote female and gender-diverse artists, amplify positive role models, and foster meaningful connections within the music industry. By collaborating with First Nations artists, regional and remote communities, youth, women in tech, multicultural artists, students, and disabled artists, AWM strives to create employment opportunities and expand professional networks in the industry.

As Sarah McLeod assumes the role of Chair, AWM embarks on an exciting new chapter, continuing its legacy of uplifting the voices of women and gender-diverse practitioners across all music genres and industry sectors.