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Ryan Bolton
Kristy Fletcher
Business
Kristy Fletcher to Accept the Impact Award at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2026
The president of MusiCounts and chief operating officer of CARAS is an advocate for accessible and equitable music education, and she will be recognized for her positive influence on Nov. 24 at Rebel in Toronto.
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Kristy Fletcher is dedicated to strengthening Canadian music — not just celebrating the creators of today, but empowering the next generation through equitable access to musical education.
At Billboard Canada Women In Music 2026, she will be honoured for her positive influence on young musicians with the prestigious Impact Award.
Fletcher is the president of education charity MusiCounts and chief operating officer of CARAS, the academy behind the Juno Awards. That means she’s able to affect the whole music ecosystem, starting with the next generation of voices.
Since joining MusiCounts in 2016, Kristy has been a major champion for inclusive and sustainable music education.
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This year, under her leadership, MusiCounts has made its biggest-ever investment in music education: a $1.4 million donation that, through the MusiCounts School Music Funding Programs, will provide support to 96 schools’ music programs across the country. That’s a vital lifeline amidst increasing budget cuts and deficits.
“I'm incredibly honoured to receive the Impact Award at Billboard Canada Women in Music,” says Fletcher. “Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to do work that makes a tangible difference, from creating opportunities for young people through music education to celebrating and elevating Canadian artists.
“But I've come to believe that the most meaningful impact isn't always something you can measure. It's the people you support, the relationships you build, the doors you open for others, and how you make people feel along the way. I'm grateful for the extraordinary people who have shaped my journey and for the opportunity to have played a part in theirs.”
Fletcher had the privilege of presenting the 2025 Executive of the Year Award to her friend Julie Adam, president and CEO of Universal Music Canada, at last year’s Billboard Canada Women In Music celebration. Now, she is celebrated for her own impact with one of the night’s biggest honours.
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She will accept the award at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2026 at Rebel in Toronto on Nov. 24.
Melissa Bubb-Clarke of Live Nation Canada will also accept this year's Executive of the Year award. Stay tuned to Billboard Canada for more exciting announcements.
Tickets are available here.
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