Girl Connected Presents: Conversation with The Pros featuring TINA DAVIS, president EMPIRE
In celebration of Women’s Month, Conversations with The Pros returns with a powerful discussion featuring Tina Davis, President of EMPIRE, in an exclusive conversation with Lola Plaku, Founder of Girl Connected.
A trailblazer in the music industry, Tina Davis has been instrumental in discovering and shaping superstar talent while leading one of the most influential independent labels. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, she’ll share the realities of breaking barriers, navigating leadership, and the power of mentorship in entertainment.
This event is presented in partnership with TMU Creative School, She Is The Music Canada, Billboard Canada, as well as Factor and The Government of Canada.
What You’ll Gain:
🔥 Insider Knowledge: Firsthand insights from a powerhouse executive shaping the music industry
🔥 Career Strategies: Actionable advice for breaking barriers, building influence, and seizing opportunities
🔥 Mentorship & Networking: The importance of relationships in career growth and industry impact
🔥 Women Leading the Way: A special focus on female leadership, resilience, and empowerment in entertainment
Please note: Tickets are non refundable.
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ABOUT EMPIRE
Founded in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi, EMPIRE is currently leading through its innovative and progressive approach to the digital music era across its label, distribution and publishing arms. The global company has more than 200 employees in 25 countries spanning North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
With its focus on early stage artist development, the San Francisco based company has been instrumental in identifying future icons and launching the careers of both multi-platinum and award winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Fireboy DML, Shaboozey, Asake, XXXTentacion, and Anderson .Paak.
More than a decade in, EMPIRE continues to grow as the largest privately held record company in the U.S. In recent years, EMPIRE has expanded its global footprint with teams and offices in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America amplifying culture worldwide.
Through crafting bespoke deals that are always in favor of the artist, EMPIRE is able to form a true partnership with each artist and label on its roster. Coupled with their unique software for analytics, recoupment, and royalties, which is available to every partner, the company offers a level of transparency unprecedented in the music industry.
ABOUT TINA DAVIS
Tina Davis is the epitome of a trailblazer and a catalyst for empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. An accomplished record label executive, artist manager and entrepreneur, Davis has held high positions in the music industry for three decades granting her an impressive and lasting legacy in the music industry.
Today, Davis serves as the President at the leading independent record label, EMPIRE. Upon her arrival in 2018, she found herself re-inspired by the company’s fresh approach to tech and music and since joining over six years ago she’s helped shape the sound of music we push and has landed competitive signings like Jay Wheeler, Tink and Hosier.
Before EMPIRE, Davis started at Def Jam where she discovered one of its first No. 1 R&B hits “This is How We Do It”. Over a decade, she made history as the first woman to lead the A&R department and went on to oversee the careers of newcomers and veterans as Scarface, DMX, Method Man, Red Man and LL Cool J.
Davis carved out her own lane with her innate gift of finding, developing and breaking top level hip-hop and R&B talent in which she created her own management firm, PhaseToo, and developed and launched the career of Grammy Award-winning artist Chris Brown.
Over the years, Davis has continued to shape the next generation of women leaders, creating a lasting legacy of inspiration and accomplishment and is sure to leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
ABOUT GIRL CONNECTED | www.beagirlconnected.com
Girl Connected is an organization designed to empower ambitious women professionals, offering a dynamic ecosystem that bridges local and global opportunities. Through an innovative blend of in-person and virtual experiences—ranging from curated industry events to a transformative global mentorship initiative—Girl Connected provides the essential framework for career acceleration, creative growth, and meaningful relationship-building within the music business. We believe in the power of strategic partnerships to drive lasting impact. Our partners collaborate with Girl Connected to foster influential networks, amplify their brand presence, and contribute directly to the advancement of women in entertainment.
Our signature events include industry panels featuring top executives and creatives, curated networking mixers that connect rising talent with industry leaders, and hands-on workshops offering insights into branding, marketing, and business development. Through our global mentorship program, we provide one-on-one guidance from seasoned professionals, equipping women with the tools and strategies to navigate and succeed in the entertainment space.
By partnering with Girl Connected, brands and industry leaders have the opportunity to support the advancement of women in entertainment while expanding their influence and engaging with a highly driven community of future innovators and trailblazers.
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
FACTOR | www.factor.ca
Founded in 1982, FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) is a public/private partnership that supports the production of sound recordings by Canadian musicians, in addition to offering programs which help make Canadian recordings accessible to a wider public.
We are dedicated to providing assistance toward the career development of Canadian artists and the competitiveness of the Canadian-owned music sector at home and abroad. Support is provided to Canadian recording artists and songwriters at every stage of their careers, as well as to managers, labels, publishers, and event producers through our various programs. Whether an artist is looking to record some tracks, release a full length sound recording, or showcase and tour at home or abroad, there is a tailored funding program to each activity. FACTOR supports many facets of the infrastructure that must be in place in order for artists and music entrepreneurs to progress into the international arena.
SHE IS THE MUSIC | www.sheisthemusic.org
SITM is a nonprofit organization increasing the number of women working in music - songwriters, engineers, producers, artists, and industry professionals. We are an independent, global network that operates as a unifying organization for women from across the industry, creating strength and impact on a global scale. A first-of-its-kind collaboration spanning the music industry, SIM is powered by creators, publishers, record labels, talent agencies, industry groups, media companies, streaming services, and more