Guitar Center Music Foundation appoints Valeisha Butterfield CEO & Executive Director Former Recording Academy/GRAMMYs Co-President and Google executive leads the Foundation’s new era of growth, access and opportunity for musicians and music communities globally WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 18, 2026 — The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF) today announced the appointment of Valeisha Butterfield as CEO & Executive Director, effective immediately.
An award-winning executive whose career has spanned music, technology and philanthropy, Butterfield will lead the Foundation’s next chapter with an eye on expanding access and opportunity to the instruments, tools, education and resources that empower people to discover, create and thrive through music. Butterfield currently serves on the GRAMMYs Television Committee and previously served as Co-President of the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs and Vice President of Global Partnerships at Google, leading organizations, teams and partnerships through periods of significant growth and transformation. She is also the founder of SEED Media.
Earlier in her career, Butterfield served as Executive Director of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, where she led national initiatives with musicians to advance financial literacy programs for young adults. Her appointment comes during an extraordinary time for music around the world. New technologies, platforms and creative tools are opening new possibilities for how music is discovered, created, shared and experienced.
Artists and musicians are reaching audiences in new ways, emerging creators are finding new pathways into the industry, and music continues to transcend geography and generations as one of the world’s most powerful tools. “Music is a universal language and the most powerful tool in the world to connect people across generations,” said Ms. Butterfield.
“Guitar Center sits at the center of that extraordinary ecosystem, and this is truly a full circle moment as I help lead this next chapter of the Guitar Center Music Foundation and, together, we reimagine its influence, impact and legacy. At its core, this work is about unlocking opportunities, fueling dreams and expanding what music can make possible for the next generation.” “Valeisha brings the rare combination of nonprofit leadership, music industry experience and operational expertise that GCMF needs for its next stage of growth,” said Curtis Heath, Board President and Chair, Guitar Center Music Foundation. “She has spent her career building organizations, developing partnerships and bringing people together around a shared purpose.
We’re excited to have her leadership as we expand the Foundation’s reach and create more opportunities for people to experience the power of music.” As CEO & Executive Director, Ms. Butterfield will work closely with GCMF’s Board of Directors, led by Board President and Chair Curtis Heath, to advance the Foundation’s strategic plan, grow fundraising and donor engagement, develop partnerships with schools and community organizations and strengthen the reach and visibility of its programs. Ms.
Butterfield’s appointment builds on GCMF’s expanded leadership structure announced in December 2025, when Heath was named Board President and Chair and Guitar Center executives Greg Glaser and Jerry Brandehoff joined the Board.
For more information, visit guitarcenterfoundation.org.