Karin Visser has an important role within the Canadian industry: ensuring Canada’s music creators are paid fairly and efficiently for their work. As licensing & distribution operations coordinator at the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), the 34-year-old plays a key role in improving royalty distribution systems and strengthening communication between publishers and rightsholders across the country. A trained jazz vocalist who later studied music production, she brings both creative and technical insight to one of the most complex parts of the business — turning artistic output into measurable value.

Visser has also served on the Hamilton Arts Council from 2023 to 2025, supporting community arts programs and local creators. She’s motivated by music’s ability to connect everyone, she says. “Music doesn’t see age, gender or race,” she says. “It’s something every Canadian experiences, often without realizing how deeply it connects us. From small towns to global stages, Canadian music…remains one of our strongest cultural bonds.”