The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is pleased to announce Natalie Waller has been re-elected Chair of the ARIA Board; while Sean Warner, President of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand, has been elected Deputy Chair. ARIA has also announced Luke Vespa and Laura Edwards as new ARIA Board Observership Program participants.
Ms Waller was first elected ARIA Chair in 2021. She is Head of ABC Music at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), one of Australia’s largest and longest-running independent music labels. Working closely with some of Australia’s biggest artists, she has steered the label to unprecedented success with the triple j brand across initiatives such as Like A Version and has led the ABC Music team through a diverse range of local music signings across the Australian music industry.
Ms Waller is a Director on the Country Music Association (CMA) Board in the United States and previously served four years as Vice President of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). Her commitment to supporting women in the music industry has led to her volunteer role as a mentor in the AIR Women in Music program.
Mr Warner is the President of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand, the region’s largest record label. Appointed in January 2023, he leads the overall strategic direction of the business, driving growth, championing Australian music, and strengthening UMA’s position as the home of both emerging and established artists. Sean has been with the company for nearly 20 years, previously serving as SVP of Commercial, where he led commercial growth, digital development, and major strategic initiatives across the region.
Mr Vespa is the Streaming Partners Lead for ANZ and SEA at Warner Music Australia, focused on delivering digital streaming strategies and partnerships that drive consumption, discoverability, and fandom for both international and domestic artists.
Ms Edwards is a Senior Streaming Partnerships Manager at Universal Music Australia, where she has spent the last seven years guiding digital strategy on artist projects. Laura began her career working as an audio engineer in live sound and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Australian Institute of Music.
Ms Waller said: “I’m deeply honoured to be re‑elected as Chair of the ARIA Board. ARIA’s advocacy and leadership are essential to strengthening Australia’s music industry, and I’m grateful to continue working with such dedicated colleagues to champion our artists and amplify the value of Australian music. I’d like to thank the Board for their ongoing support and acknowledge Annabelle and the entire ARIA team for their hard work and commitment to our industry.”
Mr Warner said: “I’m honoured to be elected Deputy Chair of the ARIA Board at such an important time for Australian music. ARIA plays a vital role in supporting domestic artists and the broader community, and I look forward to working closely with the Board and Annabelle to continue strengthening the local music industry. Together, we have a significant opportunity to drive sustainable growth, nurture the next generation of Australian talent, and ensure our industry remains innovative, inclusive and globally competitive.”
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