In a Canadian music industry where power is often concentrated within a few big corporate companies, Sander Shalinsky has worked independently behind the scenes on some of the market’s largest transactions. Regularly dealing in numbers upwards of eight to nine figures — including a recent $100 million independent music and film consolidation backed by a UK bank — the lawyer and entrepreneur orchestrates everything from high-stakes catalogue acquisitions and corporate financing to large-scale sales to massive talent signings and exits. While his resume includes guiding early milestones for global superstar The Weeknd, Shalinsky continues to strategize for young artists like country risers The Martin Boys, leveraging massive social followings to make big moves early in their careers. He’s also expanded into live theatre as executive producer of Montreal’s La Cage aux Folles. If power is measured by setting money in motion, Shalinsky is a definitive leader in the market.