Billboard has announced that (RED) CEO Deborah Dugan has been selected to succeed Neil Portnow as the Recording Academy’s new president/CEO, according to multiple high-level sources.
Dugan joined (RED) as the non-profit AIDS organization’s CEO in 2011. Founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver, (RED) has raised more than $500 million for the Global Fund with a host of partners that includes Apple, Beats by Dre, The Coca-Cola Company and Starbucks. Before segueing to (RED), Dugan served as president of Disney Publishing Worldwide. Her extensive resume also includes eight years as executive vp at EMI/Capitol Records. She launched her career as a Wall Street mergers and acquisition attorney.
Dugan was one of three finalists voted on by the board and received a majority of the votes. The board now must approve her compensation package before the appointment becomes official.
Dugan’s appointment will mark a historic moment for the Recording Academy as she will be the woman to fill the president/CEO post. Billboard has reached out to the Recording Academy for comment. Dugan did not comment.
