As Sony Music Publishing's SVP of deal analysis, Kristina Hedrick helps drive success for the company’s roster of songwriters. Working closely with A&R and business affairs, she’s played a pivotal role in securing signings and extensions for such hitmakers as Olivia Rodrigo, Sara Bareilles, NLE Choppa, Tyler, the Creator, Toosii and 070 Shake. Hedrick is a key member of OutLoud, Sony Music Group’s LGBTQ+ employee business-resource group branch in NYC.

Tell us about the path that brought you to OutLoud to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation within the music industry.

When I first began at Sony Music Publishing, I found myself really invigorated from natural networking experiences with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the building. An employee resource group was established, and we slowly developed more of a presence in the New York building. Over the last decade in particular, we have found opportunities to provide community building and advocacy for employees as the needs of the community shift. Through the employee resource group, we provide events and educational panels throughout the year for both the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. This year, one of our goals is to ensure we are providing supportive programming for the community throughout the year and focus our efforts beyond June.

What initiatives or changes would you like to see implemented in the music biz to further support LGBTQ+ artists and employees?

Despite the vastness in diversity across the queer community and exceptional initiatives across the industry promoting diversity and inclusion, the road to leadership opportunities remains narrow for members of the queer community. I would like to see even more growth in mentorships and development opportunities that drive progress in this area. I’d also like to see allies and senior leadership actively engaging in educational opportunities to keep up to date on the needs of the queer community.

What does Pride mean in 2024, and how has its significance evolved over the years, especially within the music industry?

When we consider the increased number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures over the past few years, the meaning behind Pride takes on new significance. It can be paralyzing to consider how many of these legislative attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights are being considered.

Celebrating Pride gives us a moment to say there is a lot of work to do to overcome these challenges, but these are not the first challenges the queer community has faced.

Within the music industry, it has been encouraging to see advocacy and networking groups like Queer Capita develop from the efforts of people across multiple companies and sectors of the business. This type of community building will make us stronger as an industry and create even more ways to support our employees at an industry level. This year, our employee resource group has been thrilled to collaborate with other companies to host an industry-wide Pride party in Brooklyn this month.

Can you speak to the importance of representation and visibility of LGBTQ+ artists in mainstream music, and how SMP is contributing to this movement?

It is exciting to see an SMP songwriter like Chappell Roan achieving mainstream pop success along with so many other incredible queer artists. From a distance I felt the enthusiasm of the queer community at Coachella this year! Feeling a connection to the music you hear is such an important part of representation and visibility. It’s very inspiring to imagine how young queer people today can see themselves in so many stories and songs.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes or aspirations for the future of LGBTQ+ representation?

I hope that queer representation continues to grow in mainstream art and media and as it does, a generation of queer people will grow up with a better understanding of the community and feel joy when they see themselves represented in songs and stories.