Jody Gerson

Jody Gerson (born 1961 in Philadelphia) is the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group. Upon assuming the role on January 1, 2015, Gerson became the first female CEO of a major music publisher and first chairwoman of a global music company. Gerson serves on the Executive Management Board for Universal Music Group. She was named Executive of the Decade on the Billboard Power 100 in 2026.

Career Gerson was raised in a Jewish family in the Philadelphia area, where her father owned several nightclubs including the Latin Casino whose performers included artists like Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross. where she started out making tape copies. Gerson has led the signing of artists and songwriters including the Bee Gees, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Steve Lacy, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Rosalía, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, SZA, Tierra Whack,

Previous to tenure at UMPG, Gerson signed songwriters, including Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, Odd Future, Jermaine Dupri, and a then 15-year-old Alicia Keys. Gerson has also played an instrumental role in the careers of Enrique Iglesias, Pharrell Williams, Mac Miller, Pitbull, RedOne, and Dallas Austin, among others.

Charitable work Gerson co-founded the global nonprofit She Is The Music. She serves on boards of directors of USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The National Music Publishers' Association and Project Healthy Minds. In 2016 she was named "Inspiring Woman of the Year" by the March of Dimes, and named to the Variety Power of Women L.A. list. She has appeared on the Billboard Power 100 every year from 2016 to 2026, and on the Variety 500 every year from 2017-2024. In 2020, Gerson was named by Billboard as "Executive of the Year", becoming the first music publisher and first woman to receive this honor. Gerson received the Abe Olman Publisher Award at the 51st annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner. In 2026, she was named Executive of the Decade on the Billboard Power 100. Gerson has appeared on the Variety 500, and Rolling Stone's Future 25. In 2025, Gerson became the first woman to be named Billboard's Executive of the Year.

Personal life Gerson is divorced from Seth Swirsky and has three children.