Nicole George-Middleton will lead the ASCAP Foundation in her new role as executive director, as announced Tuesday (July 13). She has served as ASCAP’s senior vp of membership since 2016 and her appointment marks the replacement of Colleen McDonough, who retired earlier this month.
Founded in 1975, the ASCAP Foundation aims to support American music creators through education and talent development programs. In her new role, George-Middleton will report to CEO Elizabeth Matthews and join ASCAP’s Executive Leadership team.
“Nicole is an outstanding leader with exciting, fresh ideas for continuing the incredible work of The ASCAP Foundation in music education, in nurturing and developing aspiring songwriters and composers and in using music as therapy,” Matthews said.
A multi-year honoree on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list, she has been working on ASCAP’s charitable programs since she joined the foundation in 2008. Last year, she helped launch a paid internship program for students enrolled in historically Black colleges and universities, which saw five students from Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Bennett College gain valuable industry experience.
George-Middleton is also credited with overseeing the daily operations of ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul and Symphonic and Concert Membership Departments on a worldwide basis. These responsibilities and more will carry over into her new executive leadership role, as she will still retain her position as senior vp of membership.
“The ASCAP Foundation is about heart and the power of music to bring joy and to make the world a richer, better place,” said Paul Williams, chairman of The ASCAP Foundation. “Nicole has a big heart, deep connections with our ASCAP songwriters and composers and a clear sense of how to harness the goodwill and energy of our entire ASCAP community for the greater good.”
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