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FAI 2024
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FAI Board of Directors 2026 Election + Call for Candidates
October 9, 2025
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FAI 2024
NEWS
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Every year, Folk Alliance International members nominate and elect board members who represent folk music industry leadership and help shape the future of our organization.
The upcoming annual election opens November 8, 2025, and closes on November 23, 2025. There are five open seats in this election for three-year terms commencing January 2026.
Learn About Your Candidates
Here are the current six candidates on the ballot, recommended by the FAI Nominations Committee and approved by FAI’s Board following an open call for expressions of interest, in alphabetical order by last name:
- Elizabeth Cawein*
- Mariah Czap*
- Art Menius*
- Tony Tarleton
- Ben Wright
- Raye Zaragoza
*Incumbent
View our current board members and bylaws here.
To nominate yourself for a board seat you must be a member of FAI and fill out this nomination form with ten letters of support from FAI members. The deadline is November 1, 2025.
Learn more about each candidate below. (Sorted in alphabetical order by last name. This section will be periodically updated with more information.)
2026 Slate
Elizabeth Cawein
INCUMBENT
Founder and Executive Director
Music Export Memphis
Memphis, TN USA
"It's been a career highlight and deep honor to serve the Folk Alliance International community through my role on the board of directors, and I would value the opportunity to continue to guide the organization and represent the voices of independent artists and emerging professionals. FAI is a unique community among its music industry peers; my priority is to grow impact while maintaining what makes FAI so special and essential."
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
INCUMBENT
Head of Project Management + Marketing
Exceleration Music (Yep Roc Records, Bloodshot Records, Down the Road Records, Red Zero Records)
Durham, NC, USA
"It’s been an honor to serve the FAI community these past three years. I’m passionate about continuing this work - championing advocacy, engagement and connectivity - while helping nurture a more inclusive, vibrant folk music ecosystem that uplifts all voices and strengthens our global community."
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
INCUMBENT
Owner/Operator
Art Menius Radio
Rougemont, NC, USA
"I live, eat, and breath FAI and have since January of 1989. I am in the midst of important work concerning folk radio, fundraising for FAI, membership development, and advancing an exciting project collecting FAI's oral history. I believe in the folk community and remain dedicated to serving it as my life's mission."
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.
Tony Tarleton
Head of Creative & Managing Partner
acronym Records
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"Being part of The Board in any fashion would be a great honor. By bringing my Commercial bent to discussions, plans or just general dialogue I feel I can contribute a bit of an "outside" view to assist in looking to align the Organizations goals to help meet the challenges of the ever-evolving Industry while maintaining it's core values."
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.
Benjamin Wright
Founding Member / Program Director
Henhouse Prowlers
Bluegrass Ambassadors
Chicago, IL, USA
"I’ve experienced firsthand how FAI benefits artists and builds community. Folk music has the power to connect people across perceived cultural divides, and I want to help the organization expand that reach by supporting collaboration, amplifying diverse voices, and strengthening its mission."
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
Artist
Raye Zaragoza
Los Angeles, CA, USA
"Thank you for considering me for this year's Folk Alliance Board of Directors. As a full time indie artist of 10 years, Folk Alliance has truly changed my life. I am so proud to be a folk musician, and so grateful for this community. If elected, I'm excited to bring my expertise from years of touring, performing, songwriting, and activism to the board. Thank you!"
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.
