MEET THE TEAM

 Phil Green's 30 year career in artist management and event production has been dedicated to helping people bring their unique gifts to the world stage. Highlights include producing the concerts for Mexico's Bicentennial, managing 3x Grammy and Tiny Desk winner Fantastic Negrito, advising educational media company Roadtrip Nation, and teaming up with some of his closest friends to launch Follow the Music. He is on the board at Oakland School for the Arts, and he is the proud father to two young men, Morgan and Santi. When he's not at his desk or at a show, Phil can be found hiking the trails of the Bay Area, and leading full moon hikes for people of all ages.  

Managing Director, Accenture

 

Soon to embark on her next adventure, Shannon Adkins most recently served as the Managing Director at Accenture. Prior to that, she served as the CEO of Future State, a women owned and led, Oakland CA-based business transformation consulting company which was acquired by Accenture under her leadership.  She is the proud mom of a high schooler and college student, and when she isn’t with her family she’s riding her horse or hiking in the hills of the East Bay.

Musician, Educator and Entrepreneur

 As a performer, musical director, author and more, Larry Batiste has worked with some of the most successful contemporary and legendary artists of all time, including Whitney Houston, Santana, Al Jarreau, Keyshia Cole, Ledisi, Bill Summers, John Lee Hooker Jr., Anthony Paul Soul Orchestra, Shemekia Copeland, Stevie Wonder and many others.  Best known for musical directing the GRAMMY Awards Pre-Telecast and NAMM’s TEC Awards, Larry is a fierce advocate for the preservation of all forms of music, and he is dedicated to mentoring, education, professional development and creating opportunities for youth and independent artists, and champions a better life for music creators.  

Adam Burke Legal 

Adam is a lawyer from Australia who began practice at Los Angeles law firm Iverson, Yoakum, Papiano & Hatch, where clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Olympic Ceremonies producer Ric Birch, Nederlander Concerts and LA’s Greek Theatre. He later co-founded media and entertainment firm Autonomy, where he advised numerous artists and producers across sports, music, film and television, and was instrumental in producing Mexico's Bicentennial celebrations. Returning to private practice in 2018, Adam now represents several clients and businesses. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Australian Music Alliance and the Pitchhiker Foundation and produces the KCRW's Global Beat and Sonic Dialog radio series and the Cockatoo Newsletter, among other projects.

Office of Kat Taylor

 Jose Corona is a business and social impact leader who has worked with Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Eat.Learn. Play, the City of Oakland, ICA and others. He recently returned to his roots and joined Kat Taylor's team as the Director of Agricultural Projects, bringing an equity lens to farming and the cultivation of resilient and diverse food systems.   

CMO, Gibson 

A life-long music lover, advocate for youth, music education, and health initiatives, and Gibson’s first-ever CMO, Beth Heidt is instrumental in shaping brand-building global strategy and forging impactful partnerships across entertainment and media for Gibson and its family of brands reaching multi-millions worldwide. Most recent additions include the development of Gibson Media where Beth oversees Gibson Film, television/digital originals, Publishing and Gibson Records. In addition Beth oversees the philanthropic initiatives of Gibson Gives--the philanthropic division of Gibson--where she serves on the board of directors. Beth is a board member of NAMM, a mentor to the NAMM Young Professionals, and she serves on the Save The Music Foundation’s Music Advisory Board.   

 JMK Consulting

 A native Californian, Jill Kunishima brings nearly 20 years of fund development experience in organizations and companies with a deep diversity of visions. Committed to working with all types of people in mission-focused organizations and companies that value impact, equity and a hunger for positive change. She holds degrees from Mills College (BA) and San Francisco State University (MPA), and has volunteered with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, local giving circles, and city-appointed grant-making boards. She is an alumnus of several leadership programs, including Coro’s Women in Leadership, LEAP Impact, and Leadership Oakland. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her partner, son, rescue dog Shadow, eating tacos, traveling, and cheering on the Golden State Warriors (sometimes all at once!) 

 Producer and Public Media Strategist 

 Liz MacDonald is an accomplished producer, creator, and leader of new initiatives with over 30 years of industry experience specializing in music and cultural organizations. Liz founded the Live Events Department, and also served as Creative Director, Executive Producer and Director of New Initiatives at trend-setting Los Angeles-based NPR station KCRW, helping to grow it into a high-profile, trusted and beloved platform showcasing the best in music, culture, and news. Today Liz works as a consulting producer with Classical California and serves as Senior Advisor, Music and Cultural Initiatives for KALW Public Media, where she created, developed and launched KALW’s Music Mission. When Liz is not working in California, she is an active explorer around the globe, with a lifelong love for cultural exchange, the outdoors, wildlife and environmental conservation. At home in San Francisco, she enjoys local adventures with Marley, her intrepid black lab. 

Amazon Web Services 

 Sam Wilkins is one of the co-founders of an Oakland-based music tech startup called Choice Scores. He's also a lifelong musician, and performs regularly around the Bay Area. As a recent MBA graduate and engineer by trade, Sam's focus has been on leveraging technology to create impactful innovations in the music world. In undergrad, he helped launch a music teaching non-profit based in Detroit called Seven Mile, and now can't wait to start this new journey with Follow the Music. 

 Former 49er, Nike and Masterclass brand marketing executive who has worked at the intersection of sports, branding and education. 

 Founding member of San Francisco band The Stone Foxes and operations manager of San Francisco Community Music Center. 

 Manager for legendary singer Roberta Flack and many other artists, with a long history of supporting music education programs. 

 Internationally acclaimed musician, band leader, composer, producer, author and Director of Education for SFJAZZ.

 Festival producer who advises festivals and live events, and was instrumental in the growth of Bay Area concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment. 

 “The most dynamic blues and soul woman to emerge from the Bay Area since Etta James” according to the Chronicle, Terrie has also dedicated her life to music education and supporting OUSD. 

 Founder and CVO of e2k Events x Entertainment. Produced global events and shows for the NFL, 49ers, Pixar, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal to mention a few. Former President of the United Spirit Association.  

 An innovative team builder who has worked at the nexus of philanthropy and sports for over thirty years, and lives to “pay it forward.” Currently the Executive Director of Bread & Roses, the music non-profit started by Mimi Fariña. 

 Former KFOG morning show host who is the Director of Philanthropy for Metallica’s Foundation, and is a Trustee for the board of Blue Bear School of Music. 

 Writer/Producer from Berkeley whose credits include Empire, Falcon and Winter Soldier, Hip Hop Uncovered, Bel-Air and more.  

 Throughout her career, Judy has championed artists and valued serving diverse communities. She is the former director of programming at Stern Grove Festival, and is currently at ITVS, supporting documentary filmmakers in bringing untold stories to public broadcasting. 

Former educator and collegiate athlete. Philanthropist & entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building athletic and music programs for underserved communities. Co-founder of Elevate Oakland.