The effects of a tumultuous 2020 were still evident in 2021. Now, the region’s business, political and civic leaders are helping bring their organizations into a new era. We hope this 13th edition of the In Charge list is not unlucky. Those on it embody what it means to be “in charge,” and it will be up to them to make sure the city and state continue their collective forward trajectory.
Kris Ahrend — CEO, Mechanical Licensing Collective: Worked on various labels’ legal teams and at Rhino Entertainment before rising to president of U.S. Shared Services for Warner Music Group in Nashville. Was tapped in early 2020 to lead the MLC, which was created by publishers and songwriters to license and administer rights under the Music Modernization Act.