Lisa Ellis
Honoree

Lisa Ellis was named the Executive Vice President of Sony Music Label Group in 2006. Lisa manages all aspects of the group's activities with a particular emphasis on broadening the digital growth of the company. Previously, she was the President and General Manager of Sony Urban Music. Under her leadership, Sony Urban Music was nominated for Urban Label of the Year at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Music Licensing, Sony Music, where she created licensing campaigns for artists and projects under Columbia Records Group, Epic Records, Sony Music Nashville and Legacy Recordings labels.

Lisa was the Senior Vice President, R&B/Rhythm-Crossover Promotion, Columbia Records, leading the division in securing airplay at multiple radio formats for Columbia artists. Lisa started her career as a Marketing Manager for Pepsi-Cola. She also served as Promotions and Marketing Director at WPGC in Washington, DC, and as the Sports Marketing Manager for Reebok International before joining Columbia Records.

The recipient of numerous industry awards, Lisa was given the Radio Music Award for Crossover Executive of the Year in 2000. She was named the Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); R&R's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998) and Rhythm-Crossover Executive of the Year (1999); Gavin's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); and FMQB's Crossover Executive of the Year (1999).

Lisa serves on the boards of Computers For Youth and LIFEBEAT. Due to her personal interest in government and leadership, Lisa is a member of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Lisa also earned fellowships at the Museum of Modern Art and the Studio Museum of Harlem. She is currently pursuing graduate work at Columbia University in the City of New York. A native of Washington, DC, Lisa resides in New York City.