Charlie Wall-Andrews Receives Recognition for Transformative Leadership and Impact

Charlie Wall-Andrews, a visionary leader, scholar and artist, continues to make an indelible impact in the music and creative industries through her dedication to creativity, leadership, and research. As Executive Director of the SOCAN Foundation and an educator at Toronto Metropolitan University, Charlie has shown commitment to creating opportunities and access for artists, and advancing industry frameworks and has recently been recognized with several awards and accolades for her trailblazing work.

With over a decade of experience, Charlie has led impactful programs aimed at supporting diversity and inclusion in the arts, such as the SOCAN Foundation’s “Her Music Awards,” “TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship,” and the “Equity X Production Program.” Her involvement in the foundation’s collaboration with CBC resulted in the establishment of the “CBC Indigenous Music Residency,” an immersive program designed to support music creators identifying with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, as well as partnering with Amazon and Sākihiwē Festival to establish the Indigenous Songcamp. She partnered with SiriusXM to establish the Black Canadian Music Awards in collaboration with Black leaders in the industry and the Young Canadian Songwriter Awards.

Charlie has also been a driving force in research studies that highlight the challenges marginalized communities face in the music industry. She has laid the groundwork for significant, industry-wide change, exploring barriers for Latin artists in Canada with Speaking Non-English, and worked with ADVANCE and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute to produce a study on “The Value of Black Music in Canada.”

Recently recognized for her transformative work in the music industry and mentoring the next generation of leaders, Charlie was honoured as “Change Maker of the Year” by Women in Music Canada. She was also awarded the “King Charles Coronation III Medal” by the Governor General, a prestigious recognition for outstanding contributions to the nation, in which Charlie was recognized for her contributions to the creative industries in Canada through advancing inclusion through her ongoing collaboration with the community.

Additionally, as an educator at Toronto Metropolitan University, Charlie was named one of three finalists for Music Business Association’s 2025 “Music Business Educator of the Year Award,” which celebrates educators who inspire students to pursue careers in the music industry. The award honours those who lead by example, teach the scope of opportunities in the music industry, and emphasize the critical importance of connections and relationships.

Wall-Andrews comments:

“These accolades reflect years of collaboration with the community to drive the changes we all want to see, and I am wholeheartedly grateful for their unwavering support. I remain deeply committed and passionate about Canada’s creative industries, and together our efforts have fostered a more inclusive and innovative ecosystem.”