Nashville native, Laura Crawford, has worked at the Recording Academy for 11 years where she is currently the Senior Membership Manager. Starting out in 2011 as the Nashville Chapter Assistant, she moved into a Membership position in 2014, covering membership for the overall Nashville Chapter market, including Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina. In 2021, she joined the Membership & Industry Relations department and oversees membership outreach in the Country, American Roots, Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music genres. Prior to working at the Recording Academy, Crawford worked as a publicist at Provident Label Group/Sony Music Entertainment and Wortman Works Media & Marketing. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism & Electronic Media. Crawford has participated in several music industry organizations including SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development), NOW (Nurturing Outstanding Women), and was recently selected to be a 2023 class member of the IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass program. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with community organizations such as Survivor Fitness Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. She also has a passion for visual arts and is constantly honing her craft as a metalsmith jewelry artist.