Since joining the SiriusXM team in 2022 – bringing with her experience from roles at Universal Music, CBC and Apple – Mearns has made a big impact, leading the station’s launch of Mixtape: North, the first 24/7 Canadian Hip-Hop/R&B channel. Though hip-hop and R&B have produced some of the biggest stars in Canadian history, the national industry is often slow to support rising acts. Mixtape: North works to showcase emerging hip-hop and R&B talent and honour the legends, with a launch event in May 2023 featuring special guests like Drake, Majid Jordan and Smiley. That was good news following some public scrutiny in 2022 when the company ended its partnership with CBC, leaving artists concerned about lost royalties and Canadian Content. The company has extended its development of Canadian talent through programs like the Top of the Country competition and the Black Canadian Music Awards (in partnership with the SOCAN Foundation), as well as the Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund, which makes musical instruments accessible to kids throughout the country.