2025

Carianne Marshall

Co-Chair & COO, Warner Chappell Music

“Authenticity wins every time. When you show up as who you really are—strengths, flaws and all—you build trust and connection.”

What qualities make a person with Power?

I don’t love the term power. I prefer impact, which often gets confused with power. There are many ways to make an impact, and there’s no single definition of what a woman leader looks like. That’s the beauty of it. None of this comes in a single form or box we all have to fit into. What I do see as a through line is leading with authenticity and conviction while also knowing when to step back and play a supporting role.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Perfection. It can be paralyzing.

What one unbreakable rule works for you?

Authenticity wins every time. When you show up as who you really are—strengths, flaws and all—you build trust and connection. That’s the foundation for everything else.

What is the big risk, and what is the tiny risk?

Big risk: Standing still.
Tiny risk: Speaking up. You’ll rarely regret it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

When it comes to work, think about how you want the environment to feel, more than just the job itself. I got this advice years ago when I was thinking about making a change. I started focusing on wanting to make an impact and feeling like I was part of a team that led me to a decision that set me on the path to where I am today.

Can you tell us about a time in which you encountered a difficult challenge in life and how did you overcome this?

There are so many! I remember a male colleague telling me when my son was very young, that because I made a decision to have a child, his career would be more successful than mine. It was shocking and made me angry… but also motivated me to never hide any parts of my life and to be an example of how to succeed in my career and show up the way I want with my family

What was a defining moment or experience in your life that led you to where you are today?

When I first started in the music industry, I was singularly focused on everything music. After running into an old friend at a party, who wasn’t really interested in music (that’s another conversation!), I realized that I had nothing to talk to him about. I had forgotten about all of my other interests—it was jarring. After that, I joined a softball team, started a book club, and leaned into a number of other things. It soon became very clear that being more well rounded, and showing up as every part of myself, helped me connect more with others and really accelerated my career.