Michelle Arkuski
Michelle Arkuski is Executive Director for She Is The Music, a global nonprofit that is increasing the number of women working in music – songwriters, engineers, producers, artists and industry professionals. Michelle oversees the entirety of SITM’s strategy, growth, global initiatives, community
development and chapter/committee operations. Over the past year, Michelle has led SITM in making historic strides: executing a groundbreaking all women writing camp in Asia with UMP China – SITM’s first non-US writing camp; first UK camp to mentor women producers ft. Fred and Kamille; first virtual mentorship program called “Connect Together”; launched SITM’s first-ever scholarship program in partnership with Blackbird Academy
Studios for women studying live/studio sound; launched She Is The Producer, a tutorial series focused on women in engineering/producing; helped spearhead SITM’s first virtual songwriting camp ever – during quarantine - ft. Shakira, Flo Milli, Normani; and countless other major efforts.
Michelle began her career in philanthropy working at Stand Up To Cancer with the Digital Marketing team where she worked on campaigns with high-profile celebrities like Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans, and Katie Couric, creating social copy and media for major events and tv integrations. Projects also included building strategy and ideas for digital initiatives for their nationally televised show, that broadcasted on over 70 major networks. She later went on to oversee Communications and Fund Development at Entertainment Industry Foundation where she worked with celebrity owned foundations such as Charlize Theron’s, Panic At The Disco, Colin Kaepernick, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Cofounded in 2018, SITM is comprised of three key pillars: all-women songwriting camps, the largest global database of women working music, and mentorship programs to foster rising generations of women. The global nonprofit’s Board of Directors includes superstar Alicia Keys, Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Ann Mincieli, Co-Head of UTA Music Samantha Kirby Yoh, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Dr. Stacy Smith, and Lionfish Entertainment cofounder and CEO Rebeca Leon.
development and chapter/committee operations. Over the past year, Michelle has led SITM in making historic strides: executing a groundbreaking all women writing camp in Asia with UMP China – SITM’s first non-US writing camp; first UK camp to mentor women producers ft. Fred and Kamille; first virtual mentorship program called “Connect Together”; launched SITM’s first-ever scholarship program in partnership with Blackbird Academy
Studios for women studying live/studio sound; launched She Is The Producer, a tutorial series focused on women in engineering/producing; helped spearhead SITM’s first virtual songwriting camp ever – during quarantine - ft. Shakira, Flo Milli, Normani; and countless other major efforts.
Michelle began her career in philanthropy working at Stand Up To Cancer with the Digital Marketing team where she worked on campaigns with high-profile celebrities like Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans, and Katie Couric, creating social copy and media for major events and tv integrations. Projects also included building strategy and ideas for digital initiatives for their nationally televised show, that broadcasted on over 70 major networks. She later went on to oversee Communications and Fund Development at Entertainment Industry Foundation where she worked with celebrity owned foundations such as Charlize Theron’s, Panic At The Disco, Colin Kaepernick, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Cofounded in 2018, SITM is comprised of three key pillars: all-women songwriting camps, the largest global database of women working music, and mentorship programs to foster rising generations of women. The global nonprofit’s Board of Directors includes superstar Alicia Keys, Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Ann Mincieli, Co-Head of UTA Music Samantha Kirby Yoh, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Dr. Stacy Smith, and Lionfish Entertainment cofounder and CEO Rebeca Leon.