East Coast Music Association replaces its CEO following criticism
Vernon Ramesar | CBC News | Posted: January 8, 2025 9:04 PM | Last Updated: January 8
St. John's is hosting the ECMAs this year from May 7 to 11
The board of the East Coast Music Association is replacing its CEO ahead of its flagship awards show in May.
A statement on the organization's website from its board of directors announced Monday the association has parted ways with Blanche Israel, who had served as CEO since last March.
The statement said former ECMA CEO Andy McLean will serve as interim managing director.
Israel's departure comes after a contentious tenure marked by both ambitious initiatives and vocal criticism.
Israel came under fire in October after founding director Sheri Jones launched a petition calling for more transparency.
Jones said several longtime contractors had been let go and changes to the East Coast Music Awards application process were made without consulting members.
St. John's is hosting the ECMAs this year from May 7 to 11.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Israel defended her decisions, saying that all changes had been approved by the board and aimed at fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the East Coast music community.
Speaking to CBC Radio's Information Morning Nova Scotia on Wednesday, she said the association has faced a lot of pressure in the last few months.
"I don't think that in the end the board and I were aligned in how we felt that we should respond and they made the decision that they felt was in the best interest of the association," Israel said.
"That is the duty that they have as board members and they carried it out to the best of their ability as volunteer board members."
She described the decision as a surprise, attributing it to the board's reassessment of the organization's needs.
However, she admitted in reflecting on the challenges of working in the not-for-profit sector that "it was not a fit."
As a single mother, she noted the emotional toll the role took on her. But she expressed gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to lead the organization.
Israel said she worked during her tenure to address systemic inequities in the music industry.
"We had a 109 per cent increase in Indigenous applicants over the previous year," she said.
"We had a 48 per cent increase in Black and African Canadian applicants and about a 19 per cent increase in LGBTQ+ applicants this year over previous years."
In a statement, Michelle Eagles, the chair of the ECMA board of directors, thanked Israel for her contributions and expressed confidence in McLean's ability to lead the organization through the transition.
"Given this is a human resources issue, that's all it would be appropriate to say," the statement said.
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