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Update
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FAI 2024
NEWS
Partner
Region
Announcing our 2026 Annual General Meeting and the 2025 Board Election Results
December 9, 2025
resource
Update
event
FAI 2024
NEWS
Partner
Region
Join us January 23, 2026 at 12 pm CT for our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM)! This year the AGM will be live in-person at the Folk Alliance International Conference, as well as streaming live on our YouTube channel.
Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend as we review the last year. If you’re a voting member of FAI, you’ll receive an email closer to the event with the agenda, meeting documents, and a Zoom link to join (with the ability to participate and ask questions).
Non-members are also invited to join! You’ll be able to view the live AGM on our YouTube channel.
Newly Elected and Re-elected Board Members
Elizabeth Cawein
Founder and Executive Director
Music Export Memphis
Memphis, TN, USA
Elizabeth Cawein is a music advocate, strategist and scholar. She founded Music Export Memphis, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit export office for music, in 2016 following a decade in music publicity and marketing with roots, Americana and folk artists. Elizabeth is a DJ (WYXR 91.7FM Memphis), a professor (Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College), and a student (PhD, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, University of Memphis) - across all these roles she is focused on centering working musicians as cultural assets. She serves on the board of directors for Folk Alliance International, is a past Recording Academy Memphis chapter board adviser, and a sought-after speaker and thought partner. Her TED Talk on music cities has 1.4 million views and counting.
Mariah Czap
Head of Project Management + Marketing
Durham, NC, USA
Mariah Czap is the Head of Project Management and Marketing at Exceleration Music, where she oversees release strategy for Roots labels including Bloodshot, Yep Roc, Down the Road and Red Zero Records. Previously, she spent over 12 years at Yep Roc Records as Co-General Manager and Head of Digital, leading global campaigns for artists like Watchhouse, Jobi Riccio, Robyn Hitchcock and Michaela Anne. Deeply committed to the independent music community, Mariah currently serves on the Board of Folk Alliance International and previously spent four years on the Board of A2IM, supporting advocacy, education and growth within the indie music sector.
Art Menius
Owner/Operator
Art Menius Radio
Rougemont, NC, USA
Art Menius, 42-years into his career in American roots music, operates a radio promotion service, Art Menius Radio, advises Si Kahn, and hosts “The Revolution Starts Now” on WHUP-FM, Hillsborough, NC. He has been a festival, conference, and concert producer, fundraiser, sponsorship and marketing director, emcee, stage manager, writer, and arts non-profit executive. Associate Festival director of MerleFest (1997-2007), Director of Appalshop (2007-2010), and ED and AD of The ArtsCenter (2012-2014). Member Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. The first Executive Director of IBMA, the first President of FAI, its Manager 1991-96, and again on the FAI board since 2023.
Benjamin Wright
Founding Member / Program Director
Henhouse Prowlers / Bluegrass Ambassadors
Chicago, IL, USA
Ben Wright is a Chicago-based banjo player, educator, and cultural diplomat. As a founding member of the Henhouse Prowlers, he has toured 30+ countries, blending performance with outreach through the band’s nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors. Wright uses music to build connections, showing students and communities that curiosity and cultural respect can open doors where language cannot. He has produced international collaborations, led workshops at universities and festivals, and built programs that highlight both bluegrass tradition and its global resonance. His mission is simple: use music to foster empathy and global citizenry.
Raye Zaragoza
Singer-Songwriter
Raye Zaragoza
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Raye Zaragoza, a galvanizing presence and self-assured artist, she describes her work as music that “fights for, represents, and celebrates those left too long outside the spotlight.” Deemed “one of the most politically relevant artists in her genre” by Paste Magazine, Zaragoza is both tender and tenacious as she examines life, self, identity, immigration, and the times in which, for many, simply existing is political. Raised in New York City and living in LA, Zaragoza independently released her past three records, and is currently working on her 4th. In addition to her music, Zaragoza is a songwriter for Netflix's animated children's series Spirit Rangers and has just finished touring nationally in the reimagined Broadway production of Peter Pan, bringing representation and a fresh perspective to the classic story.
Newly Appointed and Re-appointed Board Members
The board appointed the following members.
Dee Fretwell Carreon
Director of the Center for Professional Development and Global Initiatives
Southern Oregon University
Ashland, Oregon, USA
Dee Fretwell Carreon serves as the Director of the Center for Professional Development and Global Initiatives at Southern Oregon University. She leads a growing portfolio of global partnerships and experiential learning programs, including SOU’s hallmark Global Innovation Scholars initiative. Dee’s work centers on creating high-impact, culturally immersive experiences where students design real-world solutions with international community partners. She speaks widely on global collaboration, innovation, and the future of hands-on learning.
Lauren Branson
CEO/Owner
Little Birdie PR
Nashville, TN, USA
Lauren Stephens Branson is an industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience in music and media. Raised in Nashville, she built her career across major and independent record labels before spending nine years as Senior Director of Media Relations at BMI. In 2024, she founded Little Birdie PR, guided by the unwavering passion that has defined her entire career to help artists and songwriters tell their stories with clarity, authenticity, and impact.
Tony Tarleton
Head of Creative & Managing Partner
acronym Records
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Currently the owner, Head of Creative at Toronto based acronym Records. Over 30 years of experience in the Industry working at both Major and Independent Labels including Universal Music Canada, EMI Music Canada and other major Independent Labels. acronym Artists have won, been nominated for Junos 5 times since 2017, WCMA’s, the SMA’s and have appeared on the Long List for the Polaris Music Prize in 2019 and 2025.
