On this INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, I've a had a name in the back of my mind all day long... a woman I've met, and have gotten to know over the years who is a true force in the live music business, and, who, as COO of a company which owns and operates some of the most storied live music venues in music today.
It's my honor today to catch up with Donna Westmoreland, who oversees production and operations at DC's 9:30 CLUB; The ANTHEM; The Lincoln Theater; Merriweather Post Pavilion. In this revealing chat, she shares what it was like coming up in a business where women have few - to NO mentors. What it was like to guide a live music and events company as an entire industry shut down through the pandemic while still working to take care of her people. She talks about the beginning of the LILLITH FAIR: A celebration of women in music, which she, and an artist named Sarah McLachlan brought to life and how it changed a cultural conversation - and - what she's tried to bring to IMP as a leader when it comes to corporate responsibility, giving back and creating a culture where people can - with hard work, passion and determination - have the chance to build a career as she's managed to do.
This is our conversation from this afternoon... the full conversation you might have heard some "snippets" of this afternoon across our iHeartNation. I hope you enjoy it as we celebrate the women who inspire on this International Women's Day.