Kelli Richards is a seasoned business development exec in digital media — especially in music tech — and a “swat team” strategist with a strong proven track record in identifying opportunities and driving a vision to life from concept to execution. She has established long-term trusted relationships with stakeholders across the ecosystem including mainstream talent, content creators, media execs, tech innovators and leaders, brand execs and investors. As a “super connector” she’s curated an enviable network that at best affords her one degree of separation from virtually anyone in the space. Kelli started out as a young A&R exec at EMI Music, and went on to launch and drive Apple’s earliest initiatives in music and entertainment during her lengthy tenure there prior to launching her consulting practice. She’s also been a talent producer on a myriad of award shows & private fundraiser events working with a cross-section of some of the biggest talent on the planet.
A multidisciplinary innovator, she has spent decades envisioning, identifying and unlocking the value of emerging technologies and corresponding new revenue streams for those at the convergence of tech, music and entertainment — cross-pollinating people & opportunities to create mutual wins. She’s fascinated by people and what they want, need or don’t know they need yet. She gets involved with new business models, new innovations and new alliances that create amazing and engaging experiences that inform, entertain, surprise and delight consumers.
Kelli is also a trusted advisor to high achievers, typically out of tech or entertainment who are looking to reinvent themselves around what matters most to them as they contemplate “what’s next”. Last but not least, Kelli holds an MBA — and she’s been honored as a “Top 100 Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.