Sarah Trahern has announced she will retire as Chief Executive Officer of the Country Music Association (CMA) at the end of 2026, concluding a leadership tenure that began in 2014 at the US-based industry organisation.

During her time as CEO, Trahern oversaw a period of structural development and international expansion for the association, with a continued focus on raising the profile of US country music and supporting its professional ecosystem across creative and commercial sectors.

Under her leadership, CMA strengthened its engagement with artists, songwriters, touring professionals and industry partners, while maintaining its role as a central trade body for the US country music industry. The association’s major broadcast and live properties — including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas — expanded their global reach and continued to function as platforms for talent exposure and audience engagement.

In a statement, Trahern said: “Leading the Country Music Association has been the privilege of my career. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together in service of this industry and its people. After much reflection, I’ve decided to retire and begin a new chapter, while remaining connected to the industry in meaningful ways.”

Trahern’s tenure included the development of new membership initiatives and industry programs, as well as coordinated responses to sector-wide challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and mental health concerns. CMA also increased its international outreach during this period, strengthening relationships in key global markets.

Alongside her role as CEO, Trahern serves as President of the CMA Foundation, the association’s US nonprofit arm focused on music education. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $30 million in research-based education initiatives across the United States, supported in part by proceeds from CMA Fest and artist participation.

Prior to joining CMA, Trahern held senior leadership roles at C-SPAN, The Nashville Network (TNN) and Great American Country (GAC). She has been based in Nashville for more than three decades and is regarded as a long-standing figure within the US country music industry.

Her contributions have been recognised with multiple industry honours, including Billboard’s Country Power Players Executive of the Year award in 2017 and the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award from the Grand Ole Opry in 2024.

Trahern will remain in post through the end of 2026, working with the CMA Board and senior leadership to support a transition. The CMA Board has formed a search committee and appointed executive search firm Buffkin Baker to identify her successor, with further details on the process expected to be announced in February.

CMA Board Chair Jay Williams, Co-Head and Partner at WME, said Trahern’s leadership has left a lasting impact on both the association and the wider US country music industry.

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