Pollstar’s Women Of Live Class Of 2026

Pollstar’s Women of Live class of 2026 features executives behind – and driving – some of the hottest tours gracing the biggest stages, including Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar/SZA, Kali Uchis and Olivia Dean, as well as farms, in the case of Luke Bryan. The honorees are also championing the next superstars, helping put on charity events and festivals, and running venues across the country. Beyond music, this year’s WOL represents the vast world of live events including comedy, sports, security and more.

Gracing this year’s cover is Christy Castillo Butcher, who serves as senior vice president of programming and booking at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in the Los Angeles area. Who better a choice than a veteran industry leader based in the epicenter of live entertainment at the trend-setting, $5 billion SoFi Stadium, home to two NFL teams and regular tour stop for the biggest productions in the world? Castillo Butcher is an example of women in the industry not just being in the room and represented among peers, but running the show, making decisions and shaping the industry.

Celebrating excellence in the live industry, the Women of Live honorees were selected by Pollstar’s editorial team based on criteria including Pollstar Boxoffice data to quantify touring success as well as qualities including leadership, innovation, strategic planning, and the ability to inspire others. The list reflects the ever-changing nature of the business – as the magazine was going to print the news cycle was filled with a major agency name change, a seeming antitrust settlement/return to court and pros on the move, impacting many of our honorees. As more women continue to rise up in the business, it was once again a challenge to narrow down the WOL list and these 65+ women are just a fraction of the badass women bringing live to life. Cheers to the Women of Live class of 2026 and the next generation of women to enter the business.

Women Of Live 2026 Cover Honoree
Christy Castillo Butcher Continues to Build On Legacy With World Cup, Super Bowl

WOMEN OF LIVE HALL OF FAME 2026 INDUCTEES

Michele Bernstein
Founder, Michi B, Inc.

Lucy Dickins
former Global Head of Contemporary Music and Touring at WME /
Managing Director at CAA (effective mid-April)

Rebekah Foster
Owner & CEO, Ujima Sound Productions Ltd.

Corrie Martin
former EVP & Managing Executive, The•Team

Joyce Smyth
CEO, Glastry

Josephine Vaccarello
Executive Vice President, Live, Madison Square Garden Ent. & Sphere Ent. Co.

Women Of Live Hall Of Fame 2025 inductees

Women Of Live Hall Of Fame 2024 inductees

WOMEN OF LIVE 2026 HONOREES

WOL INTERNATIONAL 2025 HONOREES

Jackie Antas
Senior VP – Communications, Australia & New Zealand, Live Nation / Ticketmaster (Australia)

Sina Hall
Head Of International Booking / Senior Project Manager, Semmel Concerts Entertainment GMBH (Germany)

Weining Hung
 Founder / Director, 9 Kick (Taiwan)

Sandra Jimenez
Regional Director, LATAM & U.S. Latin, YouTube (Brazil)

Dr. Debbie Kristiansen
SVP Venue Development & Operations, OVG Middle East (Saudi Arabia)

Therése S. Larsson
SVP / Head of Media & Sponsorship, International / EMEA; Live Nation (Sweden)

Alex Mahon
CEO, Superstruct Entertainment (United Kingdom)

Leslie McDonogh
Promoter, MCD Productions (Ireland)

Sasha P
Founder / CEO, Purplefire Entertainment (Nigeria)

Debby Wilmsen
Spokesperson / Lead Press, Corporate & Internal Communication; Tomorrowland (Belgium)