The Country Music Association (CMA) announces Brittany Schaffer as its next chief executive officer. Multiple outlets report that Schaffer will succeed Sarah Trahern, who has led the organization for 13 years and plans to retire at the end of the year. CMA states that Schaffer will begin her role on Jan. 1, 2027.
According to the reports, Schaffer currently serves as a dean at Belmont University and previously held senior roles in Spotify’s country operations. The CMA’s announcement positions her as the successor to Trahern, whose tenure concludes when her retirement takes effect. The coverage focuses on the leadership transition, including the timing of the changeover and Schaffer’s background spanning academia and the streaming industry’s country music operations.
No other major program or policy changes are included in the provided excerpts. The announcements center on who will lead the CMA and when the transition occurs.
