2026 Impact 50 Honoree: Theresa Wolters

THERESA WOLTERS
Executive Director
MusiCares

BY THE NUMBER: $17.7+ million. amount MusiCares has directed toward relief efforts in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires.
MOST RECENT CONCERT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?  “Taking my daughter to the Kennedy Center when she was 3, and seeing her experience the symphony for the first time.”

After taking on the role of Interim Executive Director in early 2025, Theresa Wolters officially was named Executive Director of MusiCares in August, three years after joining the nonprofit as Vice President of Health & Human Services. She’s spent more than two decades dedicated to global health and humanitarian leadership, including serving at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

ON MUSICARES’ MOST IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES
“MusiCares has directed $17.7 million in fire relief support since the Los Angeles wildfires. This was our third highest year for financial assistance and I am so thankful that we can show up for music people in this way. MusiCares is the largest provider of support for basic living needs, medical bills, mental health support, addiction recovery and disaster relief. We can only do this because of how the music community continually supports and funds MusiCares.”

A UNIQUE TAKE ON “BLUE DOT FEVER
“Behind every show are hard-working people who rely on that work to support themselves and their families. Whether this is a lasting trend or a moment in the cycle, it has very real implications for the people who work these shows. That is where the focus remains. Ensuring music professionals, especially those working behind the scenes, have access to support during times of uncertainty is critical. The goal is to provide a sense of stability in an industry that can often feel unpredictable, so that people are not navigating those challenges alone.”

WHAT’S NEXT
“A continued priority is building on initiatives that provide deeper insight into the needs of the music community. The Wellness in Music Survey remains a key part of that work, offering an ongoing look at how those needs are evolving year by year and helping guide program development in a meaningful way.