2022 Impact 50: Jeanine McLean-Williams

President & Managing Partner
MBK Entertainment Inc.

In recent years, Jeanine McLean-Williams’ profile has grown, as the MBK Entertainment president and managing partner has been an instrumental member of the management team that has orchestrated H.E.R.’s ascent to the top of the music industry.

Last month, H.E.R. took home the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance, one of eight awards for which she was nominated. Currently on tour supporting Coldplay in North American stadiums, H.E.R. is a force on the road; in September, McLean-Williams helped the musician expand her Lights On Festival, taking place at Concord Pavilion in Concord, Calif., from one day to two.

“We all knew that once COVID restrictions were lifted every artist was going to plan a tour, and rightfully so,” says McLean-Williams when discussing the return to the road. “There’s nothing like the energy of a live performance with an audience!”

H.E.R. wasn’t the only thing keeping McLean-Williams occupied as the live industry restarted.

“Two tours, company expansion, being on the board of two tech platforms and scouting new artists along with being a Recording Academy Board Advisor, and a mentor for four organizations has made it a very busy year,” she says. “It’s accomplished with daily planning, focus, commitment and just loving what I do.”

MBK remains focused on one-upping itself, from diversity – “Our company is like the United Nations, with every race, color, creed and orientation a part of our team,” McLean-Williams says – to sustainability, which the company continues to address as part of a carbon offset program.

Those who’ve worked with McLean-Williams can attribute her business chops to her mom.

“My mother was my most important mentor because she taught me from an early age how to negotiate a great deal, to be kind but not a pushover and that to respect yourself and others are key to forging strong relationships,” she says.