2025 Impact 50 Honoree: Hilary Gleason

HILARY GLEASON
Executive Director
Backline

LAST JOB NOT IN THE BIZ: “Facilitating neurosurgical training camps in Uganda through the Duke Global Health
Institute.”
FAVORITE MEETING SPACE: “Sphere. So many of our partners and donors are Deadheads.”

2025 has been a whirlwind for Hilary Gleason – and the executive director and co-founder of nonprofit organization Backline has risen to meet the moment.

Gleason, whose background is in global health advocacy, co-founded Backline in 2019 to provide mental health and wellness resources to music industry professionals and their families. After the year began with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, a donor offered to cover mental health care costs for those affected.

“In partnership with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, we’ve been able to distribute more than $90,000 in mental health care grants this year, not just to those affected by the wildfire, but to anyone that comes to Backline with a financial need,” she says. “Every grant is a step toward healing and a reminder that no one in this industry has to navigate mental health challenges alone.”

Days after publicly chastising the recording industry for not taking care of artists’ healthcare needs during the Grammys, Chappell Roan made a $25,000 donation to Backline – and the nonprofit launched the We Got You! campaign to support artists’ mental health.

“Artists like Noah Kahan, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, Ryan Tedder and LAUV immediately stepped up and their leadership inspired countless others, including Wasserman, Live Nation and AEG,” Gleason says. “Together, we’re working to change the industry for good – not just by talking about mental health, but by investing in it.”

Backline has been adding more providers to its Clinical Referral Network, as well as more case managers, as more than twice as many people are seeking help this year compared to last.

“Our work hasn’t changed, but the world has,” she says. “Rising uncertainty across our industry and the nation as a whole is fueling increased levels of anxiety and depression. We’re doing everything we can to make sure music industry families feel supported, no matter what.”