2025 Women Of Live: Natalie Dean

Natalie Dean
Director Of Events | Sixthman

BIZ ADVICE | “Always ask questions. … It will lead you to change and innovation.”
FAVE NEW FESTIVAL DISCOVERY | Reyna Tropical at 2024’s Newport Folk Festival. To watch the crowd
instantly connect with them, and every story they shared is the spirit of the folk festival.

Sixthman Director Of Events Natalie Dean and her team got to celebrate a few big milestone moments in 2024, including successfully executing a company-high 22 events and marking its 200th event over 23 years in business by sailing on Andrew McMahon’s Holiday from Real Cruise.

“We also ventured into some of our company’s biggest undertakings partnering with Hallmark Channel to bring the magic of Christmas alive at sea with two sold-out cruises and executing our first food and wine festival, ‘Chefs Making Waves’ featuring culinary legends Maneet Chauhan,
Andrew Zimmern and more,” Dean adds. “While most of our business is based in live music, I am always so proud of our company when we take on different types of events that really push us to think outside the bounds of a stereotypical live experience, festival, or vacation.”

As Sixthman continues to grow its business, with new events like Nateland At Sea with Nate Bargatze and an encore of The Summer of ’99 with Creed (plus Nickelback), Dean notes that facilitating DEI is an active conversation for their leadership team and whole company, as well as with those Sixthman does business with.

“Having a diverse company has brought new perspectives that are integral in how we’re able to shape and build events for different communities; without those voices we would not be able to directly connect and make an impact,” Dean says. “The same goes for making sure our events continue to showcase diverse artists, brands and genres. We want to make sure what we offer is a safe space.”

Looking ahead, Sixthman just announced a True Crime cruise in partnership with Wondery’s Exhibit C brand, which will mark Sixthman’s first podcast host-led event. Plus, Sixthman is graduating some of its long-standing events to a larger ship while Dean says they plan to maintain the intimate atmosphere they’re cultivated throughout the years.

“We will also be going to Alaska for the first time – any time we break new ground in a different space it is both challenging and exciting,” Dean says. “However, the thing I am most excited about is that we are announcing a women-led networking style event that will have women of color at the forefront.”