In a tumultuous year for arts funding, Meg Symsyk has been at the forefront of ensuring that Canadian talent and creative businesses have the support they need to thrive. This year, the president and CEO of FACTOR will be honoured with a special award at Billboard Canada Power Players: The Visionary Leadership Award.
This will be the first time this award has been presented in Canada. Known as the Clive Davis Visionary Award in the U.S., this honour has previously been given to such industry powerhouses as Sharon Osbourne, EMPIRE CEO Ghazi Shami, HYBE's Bang Si-hyuk and Clive Davis himself.
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“This award honours people who see farther, fight harder and leave the business better than they found it,” Davis said at Billboard’s Power 100 celebration in 2026.
Throughout the last two years, Symsyk has been a fighter for the Canadian music industry and Canadian culture.
“The past two years have tested our organization in unprecedented ways. Through it all, our commitment to Canadian artists, entrepreneurs, music companies and industry organizations never wavered,” she says. “And most notable, when tested, the community equally gave FACTOR unwavering support.”
Through grants and programs, FACTOR is one of the most important funders of music in the country. That support hasn’t wavered amidst multiple challenges, including the theft of nearly $10 million from its Scotiabank account. The music industry rallied to support the organization while Symsyk fought in court for corporate accountability, and this week it was announced that FACTOR settled with the bank.
“Meg Symsyk is a tireless and unwavering advocate for Canadian music. She understands the importance it has in fostering a national identity and maintaining cultural sovereignty at a time when it is being tested,” says Richard Trapunski, National Editor of Billboard Canada. “We've seen her leadership firsthand as she has fought for funding, Canadian culture and corporate accountability.”
Symsyk will accept the Visionary Leadership Award at Billboard Canada Power Players on June 10, 2026 at Rebel in Toronto as part of NXNE.
The celebration of the most powerful and influential people in Canadian music will also honour the first-ever inductees into the Billboard Canada Hall of Fame, Vinny Cinquemani and Riley O’Connor, as well as the Impact Award winner Margaret McGuffin of Music Publishers Canada.
