Keychange US, General Manager

Gabriela Gironas (they/them), Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree, is an entertainment and technology executive who has followed two north stars throughout their career: elevating marginalized communities and empowering creatives to embrace technology. They continue these missions through their own company – Cool Shit, Cool People – working on artist development, talent relations, and integrated marketing for clients like Wide Eyed Entertainment, Good Party, Showcase, ShowUp, and more. Beyond their work, they are the Global Chair of Diversity & Inclusion at Women In Music where they work to create sustainable change for women in music at all stages of their careers.

Member of our 2024 Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program

Jasmin Benward (She/They) is a Black, non-binary, queer, invisibly disabled artist, educator, and somatic instructor. Jasmin expresses herself as a screenwriter, author, essayist, music supervisor, musician (stage name NAM), creative/sync coordinator, a&r rep. 

Their life’s work includes disrupting inequities of marginalized folks across mixed-media, education, and wellness. 

Jasmin is a proud team member of Madden Flow Entertainment Sync Agency serving as A&R Lead and Creative Coordinator as well as being the newly appointed Director of Sync Licensing for WVZ MFG Publishing Co. 

Jasmin is a recipient of development through arts based organizations: GLAAD (Black Queer Creative Summit), The Center for Cultural Power (Disruptors Screenwriting Fellow), Vancouver International Film Festival Amp Program (Music Supervision), Women in Film (Music Supervision Fellow), Unlock Her Potential (Songwriting Mentee), Keychange U.S. (Music Innovator Fellow). 

Crossroads Music Fest, Founder & Director

Bill Sundahl has been the driving force behind the Crossroads Music Fest for 21 years, demonstrating a deep commitment to Kansas City’s music scene. As Festival Director, he is responsible for curating the artist lineup, coordinating performances, and ensuring the festival reflects a diverse array of genres and voices.

Bill is also the founder and principal consultant at Z&W Unlimited, For Purpose Consulting. He holds a Certificate in Fundraising Leadership from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC’s Bloch School of Management.

He KC home with his wife and two daughters and is currently performing with the Starhaven Rounders.

KKFI 90.1FM, Director of Development & Communications

Kelly joined KKFI 90.1 FM in September of 2022. Most recently, she was the Marketing Manager at the Folly Theatre. Having navigated and successfully marketed the Folly and its shows during a major pandemic, Kelly brings a sense of community, inclusion and thoughtfulness to the position at KKFI.

Kelly also works with local nonprofits in Kansas City, including being a founding member of the Kansas City Irish Festival, where she remains steadfast on the entertainment team. She is also an emeritus board member of the Kansas City Irish Center and was instrumental in purchasing Drexel Hall. Kelly is also an advisory board member for the Heartland Song Network and continues volunteering for causes close to her civic-minded heart.

She has a Master’s in Liberal Arts from Baker University and a Bachelor’s in Science majoring in Economics from Emporia State.

Lawrence Music Alliance, Executive Director

Originally from Limerick, Ireland. Nick has been performing professionally for 25 years, in his native Ireland and across the US Midwest, where he has lived since 2011. His main creative output is as songwriter and frontman for the alt-rock 5 piece, Carswell & Hope. 

Nick has wide experience with arts & cultural non-profits, community organizing, public art and professional development. Nick is a Creative Industries Specialist for the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, a Senior Artist Leadership Fellow for the Mid-America Arts Alliance's Artist INC program, and a board member for the Heartland Song Network, and program manager for the Audio-Reader Network.