Board of Directors
Meet our NEW board and committee members!
LADY A
Lady A - #TheRealLadyA, known as “The Hardest Workin Woman in Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel,” proudly represents “the Emerald City,” Seattle, Washington. A powerhouse vocalist, producer, singer, songwriter, community activist and storyteller, she brings heart, truth, and purpose to every stage she steps on. There’s always a message in her music, whether she’s lifting spirits, sparking reflection, or calling for change. A two-time Washington Blues Society Best Performer of the Year (2020, 2021) and 2021 Best Female Vocalist of the Year, Lady A’s impact continues to grow. In 2025, she won the Patty Allen Entertainer of the Year award. Her honors also include multiple Blues Blast Music Award nominations, a Pacific NW Soul Café Best Entertainer of the Year nomination, and International Singer-Songwriter Association nominations for USA Female Entertainer, Vocalist, Songwriter, and Music Video of the Year. Beyond the stage, Lady A’s work in the community runs deep. Through Lady A Productions and newly formed Lady A’s Blues and Blessings Foundation, she mentors youth, supports seniors, the unhoused in the community, leads Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops, and provides music events and educational programs. She also assists musicians locally and nationally, helping connect them with events and venues as they travel through Washington State. Whether it’s opening doors or creating new ones, she makes sure artists have opportunities to be heard. Lady A is also a weekly radio personality on the Walter Trout Blues Rock Radio Show on the TGRN (The Grits Roots Network), where she champions local and national artists and shines a spotlight on Black women in music. A national and international touring and recording artist and festival favorite, Lady A captivates audiences with performances that educate, inspire, and warm the heart. Like a good pot of gumbo, she always serves it up hot. Her Motto: Be Blessed and be a Blessing!
Keeshea Pratt (Bio coming soon)
An Diaz (Bio coming soon)
Andrea Marr
Andrea Marr started singing the blues in 1997, when a blues jam changed her musical direction forever. Previously a cover band singer, she fell in love with the blues, then released her first blues album in 1997, going on to record 10 albums to date. She has represented Australia 3 times at the IBC’s, twice reaching the semi finals. Once with her Andrea Marr Band and once with her duo The McNaMarr Project. Andrea has won many awards in Australia including the Australian Female Blues Vocalist of the year award and has been inducted into the Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame. Andrea is currently the Ambassador for women in blues for Blues Music Victoria, has had 4 number one blues albums in Australia and is a passionate teacher and mentor for Women in blues, regularly doing workshops and hosting showcases and events for WiB.
COMMITTEE CHAIR/CBW
Diane Rudolph
Diane is the President of the Ozark Blues Society of NW Arkansas, and a professional drummer. She began her playing career in 1986 where she cut her teeth in the explosive, multi-cultural South Florida music scene. The next 20 years gave her extensive experience in both session and live playing. She owns and manages two businesses in NW Arkansas, where her family relocated in 2006. She loves teaching, singing, playing bass, recording, directing musical projects, and volunteering as a musician contributor for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation. She is the founding drummer and musical director for NWA’s Divas on Fire, and also drums for the Delta Divas showcase band. Diane has held down the drum chair as house band drummer for the National WIB Showcase on Beale Street in both 2025 and 2026.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Heather Statham - Outreach Committee Chair
Heather Statham is a singer, performer, and vocal coach based in South Carolina. She is the frontwoman for the blues/soul band THUNDERGYPSY, known for their soulful Southern sound and dynamic live performances. THUNDERGYPSY participated in the International Blues Challenge in 2018, and Heather later performed in the National Women in Blues Showcase in 2020 and the virtual showcase in 2021. The band also created a tribute show and album, Ladies of the Blues, celebrating the music and legacy of influential women in blues. In addition to performing, Heather works as a vocal and performance coach, helping artists build confidence, authenticity, and stage presence.
Ann Bello (Bio coming soon)
Dave Harrison (Bio coming soon)
Jayme Fallon (Bio coming soon)
Cristy Benvenutti - Sales/Marketing Chair
Cristy Benvenutti is a strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader with expertise in finance, operations, and sales. She is President and Treasurer of the North Jersey Blues Society, where she has expanded membership, built a strong digital presence, and led community events celebrating blues music and education. Cristy is also the founder of Designs by Cristy B, creating handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry. With senior leadership experience at Spectrum, AT&T Wireless, and Mobile ESPN, and a BS in Accounting from Ramapo College, Cristy combines operational expertise, creativity, and community impact in all her work.
Samantha Muffett (Bio coming soon)
Shirley McCoy
Shirley is a Norcal Native with a deep appreciation and love for blues music. She fell in love with live music growing up in the Bay Area, attending concerts several times a week. She works as the Office Manager at the non-profit community radio station, KZFR 90.1 FM, which has only furthered her knowledge of music and given her the privilege to get to interview some noteworthy names. She also proudly serves on the Board of the Sacramento Blues Society, the third oldest blues society in the United States. She chairs the SBS's International Blues Challenge Committee. She looks forward to serving on the Marketing Committee of the National Women in Blues and continuing to help empower and showcase the powerhouse women in the blues.
Susan Angeleti (Bio coming soon)
Angela Buffington - Fundraising Committee Chair
President, Trinity River Blues Society, Angela Buffington is a published author, public speaker, and respected cultural leader in the North Texas arts and music community. As President of the Trinity River Blues Society, she leads with vision and purpose, championing the preservation, promotion, and advancement of blues music while creating meaningful opportunities that connect artists, audiences, and communities. A corporate accountant by profession, Angela brings a sophisticated blend of business acumen and strategic leadership to her role. She is deeply involved in the business side of the music industry, with expertise in event production, artist relations, and organizational growth. Under her direction, the organization has expanded its influence through signature programming, youth initiatives, artist development, and high-impact community partnerships, reinforcing its standing as an affiliate of The Blues Foundation. Angela’s leadership extends beyond a single organization. She serves as Chairperson for Women in Blues, where she drives fundraising and advocacy efforts that elevate and support women in the genre. She is also an administrator for Texas Women in Music and a board member of Southside Preservation Hall, contributing to the preservation of culturally significant music spaces. In addition to her leadership roles, Angela curates, produces, and books festivals and live music experiences, bringing together talent and community through thoughtfully executed events that reflect both artistic excellence and strong business strategy. She is the creator and host of the Back History Podcast, a platform dedicated to uncovering powerful, often untold stories that highlight the journeys of artists, leaders, and change-makers. Renowned for her commanding presence and authentic voice, Angela is a sought-after public speaker and Mistress of Ceremonies for concerts, festivals, and major cultural events. Her influence has been recognized with honors including Fort Worth Weekly Readers’ Choice Best Influencer, reflecting her impact, visibility, and dedication to the community she serves. Driven by purpose, excellence, and a commitment to legacy, Angela Buffington continues to bridge business, culture, and music while building platforms that preserve the blues and inspire future generations.
Kimberly Trevallion (Bio coming soon)
Retired from the Board: Former VP - Terri Robbins, Teeny Tucker, Lea Gilmore, Lamont Jack Pearly (Jack DaPappas), Tim Fik, Lori Graboyes, Tom Watson, Brian Lucas, Peter Laurio.
WiB Chairman of the Board - Kyle Deibler, Rest in Peace
Kyle Deibler was a supporter of the National Women in Blues from its inception. A past president of the Colorado Blues Society and past president of the Phoenix Blues Society, Kyle spent more than 30 years supporting the Blues genre as a whole. He was a proud two-time recipient of the Blues Foundation's highest honor for a non-performer, the Keeping the Blues Alive award.
Rae Gordon
Powerhouse blues and soul singer Rae Gordon is widely recognized not only for her astounding multi-octave range as for her captivating onstage charisma and approachability. Rae leads a high-energy band that features searing slide guitar, a tight pulsing rhythm section and soaring horns. The Rae Gordon Band’s most recent CD “Better Than I Was” has been played around the world, received multiple awards and appeared on the Living Blues and Roots Music Report charts. Rae was inducted into the Cascade Blues Association’s Hall Of Fame for her string of Best Female Vocalist wins, and the band was named Best Contemporary Blues Act by the CBA as well. In 2017, her band was a finalist in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and placed 3rd in the competition. Rae and her band have played high-profile stages like Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival, the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas (twice), the Bonita Blues Festival in Florida, the Big Sky Blues Festival in Montana, the Iron Mountain Music Festival in Canada and many others. The band is currently at work on a brand-new CD of all-original songs, titled “Wrong Kind Of Love” and due in October 2019.
Brigitte Purdy
Well crafted business savey singer song writer Brigitte Purdy is on a mission to help establish an equal opportunity for all seeking to be heard in the music industry. Brigitte has been in the business since the age of 13 when she took her first role as Maria in West Side Story at the Dorthy Chandlier Pavillion. Growing up int he Los Angeles entertainment industry since a child has afforded her a well rounded perspective of "the business". She has performed with Dolly Parton, Kenny Rodgers, Dionne Warwick. As well as background vocals for The Who, Paul Rodger and Peer Publishing Company. In 2018 she released her first album "Still I Rise" which made the first round of voting for a Grammy Nomination, won an L.A. Critics Award for Best Blues Album, Best Female Blues Artist. She has her degree in Humanies. Dedicating herself to the servitute of others is a life long goal. Volunteering for Rock Camp for Girls, and was a Mentor for Untied by Music during the Special Olympics.
Michael Reynosa
Michael Reynosa: The company SwiftEyes Innovation, Inc®. founded in 2014 by Michael Reynosa, owns and operates Yippee Ki-Ay Blues. It’s official business is promotional activities. Heavily influenced by use of state-of-the-art technology skills and experienced from a distinctive 35 year career with Fortune 500 Companies and Department of Defense. SwiftEyes Innovation, Inc. offers their clients something not found elsewhere. The company is well versed in the Software/Mechanical Engineering domains with skills in the following areas: 3D Virtual World Meta-verse Design and Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Live-Streaming, Augmented Reality, Mixed-Reality, Mobile App Development, Graphics Design, and Web Development.
Marie Wilson
By day, Marie is a corporate leader for an international finance company, leading teams in the US and India. By night and weekends, Marie is also media correspondent for blues artists in Atlanta, GA.
10 years ago, a broken heart brought Marie to the blues and she hasn't looked back. She set out on a mission to learn the business side of the blues music industry and plug in to where she could assist local artists in the vibrant Atlanta market. Diving into the DIY life of an independent artist, she has worn many hats. She has done everything from social media, video, merchandising, music distribution and when forced on stage introductions! Part of that learning was to network with others behind the scenes. Five years ago, she responded to a request for volunteers to assist with the Women in Blues showcase at IBCs and she's shown up every year since, growing her responsibilities and sharing her project management skills from her day job with the organization.
President/CBW - Michele Seidman
Michele Seidman, President/CBW created the National Women in Blues in 2006 after seeking female mentors in the blues world. This movement and mission were needed to level the playing field for women in blues. She started as an actress (Empire Records, Little Mouth To Feed, Dawsons Creek, Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, Another Life), and is the former Director of Film Studies for CFCC. Her band Michele and the Midnight Blues were on radio around the world when they participated in the 2006 International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tn. Currently directing & producing indie film, music events and live-streams. A founding member of CFIFN, served as a programmer for Cucalorus Film Festiva and Cape Fear Film Festivall, Associate Member of the Board for the Cape Fear Film Makers Accord, CBW/President for The National Women in Blues, former Board of Directors Tedx Hamsptead, and Winner of the 2010 Wayne Bradley Creative Spirit Award.