Audrey Fix Schaefer Named NIVA Board President

Audrey Fix Schaefer, the Communications Director for I.M.P. and its iconic venues in Washington, D.C., has been named as NIVA’s Board President. She previously served as NIVA’s Vice President and Communications Director.

The announcement was made during the official opening session for NIVA’s 2025 conference in Milwaukee on Monday, with Dayna Frank introducing Schaefer. Frank is the president and CEO of First Avenue Productions in Minneapolis and the co-founder of NIVA, who served as the organization’s first president. 

An announcement from NIVA’s PR team notes that Schaefer will be “ushering in a new era of strategic, advocacy-driven communications leadership, amplifying the voices of independent venues and securing enduring policy wins.” She will be taking the reins from Andre Perry, Executive Director of the Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts and Engagement at Iowa University. During his term as president, he helped guide NIVA “through two years of growth and foundational strengthening, as the organization dramatically expanded its state advocacy, launched a national independent certification, and launched a group discount program for members.” He will remain on the NIVA board. 

During NIVA’s opening session Schaefer reminisced about growing up going to see live music and being brought up by a mom who said “You gotta go to the worst part of town to see the best music.” That continued as Schaefer raised her own kids, noting that she took her kids to 9:30 Club so many times, her daughter said she wished she could marry the Washington, D.C. venue.

“When I look at my NIVA family, I see audaciously smart and courageous people from big towns and small, who fight for artists, their communities, their employees, and their fans,” Schaefer said in a statement. “I’m still absorbing all they have achieved —from the $16 billion Save Our Stages bill to the effort to protect fans from predatory ticket scalpers.  For us, music and comedy equal life. I’m remembering the words of NIVA’s co-founder and first president, Dayna Frank, who said in the throes of the pandemic, when nothing was certain, ‘First we survive, then we thrive.’ It’s an honor to support NIVA’s members, staff, and the board in whatever challenges and opportunities come next. Together, we’re a force.”

Stephen Parker, NIVA Executive Director, added: “I am grateful for the vision and wisdom that Andre Perry has brought to the entire live performance community as NIVA’s Board President. His impact, as we focused on our sector’s sustainability and repositioned NIVA for the future, will be felt for generations. As Audrey assumes leadership of the Board, NIVA and our members are excited for her to continue the tireless work she has led since our founding to elevate NIVA into an international brand, make us a part of critical national conversations relevant to our sector, and lead the way on state legislation that our chapters and policymakers have utilized to protect consumers, artists, and stages across the country.” 

On Monday, Courtney McClary Yug, Director of Operations at SBG Productions, and Gary Witt, CEO and Co-Owner at The Pabst Theater Group, were also announced as new members of NIVA’s Board of Directors.

Kira Karbocus, Founder and Principal Consultant at Karbocus & Co., was named NIVA’s new Treasurer. Her experience in the business includes helping drive growth at the Newport Festivals Foundation and the Fingerpaint Group.

NIVA Conference – which is known as the premier gathering of the nation’s independent live concert, comedy, promoter, venue, and festival industry – continues in Milwaukee through June 25. Panels are scheduled at downtown indie venues including Miller High Life Ballroom and Turner Hall, with happy hours, live performances and other activities taking place at NIVA member venues across the city. Tuesday’s schedule includes Schaefer joining Antonio Nunes, who serves as Legislative Director for Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen on the Council of the District of Columbia, for the fireside chat “Battling Scalping Goes To Washington, D.C.”