Women Of Live 2026 Honorees Celebrated In Beverly Hills 

Mastro’s Beverly Hills Penthouse was packed with more than 125 attendees Wednesday evening as executives from across the industry joined for the annual Pollstar Women of Live Reception.

A sweltering heat wave in Southern California couldn’t bring down the mood of the private event, which was filled with the sounds of live music, wine glasses joined in toasts and lots of laughter. As one of the honorees described it, the evening was one of “friendship, camaraderie, and celebration.”

More than two dozen honorees from Pollstar’s Women of Live class of 2026 were there, with many women traveling from states away and even farther, including two of the International Women of Live honorees journeying from Nigeria and Taiwan – Sasha P, founder and CEO of Purplefire Entertainment, and Weining Hung, founder and director of 9 Kick, respectively. 

The event brought together coworkers and old friends as well as folks from rival agencies and promotion companies – but the atmosphere was anything but contentious. As hors d’oeuvres and drinks were passed around, it was the perfect opportunity to network and make new friends. Attendees also had the chance to take part in an activation offering either a necklace or bracelet engraved by Los Angeles-based calligrapher Michelle Tieu of Calligraphy by Michelle T. Seeing the attendees not just connect professionally but personally, it showed that the responses the honorees sent in supporting other women in the industry didn’t ring hollow.  

“It truly is so unique … You don’t know how rare the feeling is until you’re in it – all these smart, talented women wanting to get to know one another. Everyone comes in with such an open heart. My heart was full after I walked away. It’s buoying,” said WOL honoree Darby Moeller, Senior Director of Business Development at Sixthman.  

This year’s WOL cover honoree, Christy Castillo Butcher, SVP Programming & Booking at Sofi Stadium, Youtube Theater & Hollywood Park, was on hand, as well as a few of her colleagues including Jen Sandstrom, Vice President, Programming and Booking, and Vanessa Kromer, Senior Director of Publicity. 

A few of the 2026 Women of Live Hall of Fame honorees were also in attendance including Michele Bernstein, founder of Michi B; Rebekah Foster, owner and CEO of Ujima Sound Productions Ltd., and Corrie Martin, former EVP & Managing Executive of The•Team, along with a few of the inaugural Hall of Fame honorees including Ali Harnell, president and chief strategy officer at Live Nation Women; Marsha Vlasic, vice-chair of the Music Division at IAG; and Jenna Park Adler,
music agent at CAA.

The event was presented by Live Nation Women, along with supporting partners Capital One Arena, Danny Wimmer Presents, Sixthman, KP Entertainment and Messina Touring.