Music is ever-present in our lives, from our morning exercise routines until bed. And we all have a "life soundtrack" of songs that transport us to a moment or an era — one note and you're right back there. Music is also a multi-billion dollar business. But who runs this business? Despite so many of the biggest performers being women, the industry itself has long suffered from a lack of women and diversity — not only on the talent side but also on the executive side.

One of the most powerful longstanding players in this business is Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group. She’s the first woman ever to hold the position at a major music publisher, and since joining UMPG in 2015, she’s transformed the company, which has now surpassed $2 billion dollars in revenue.

Listen to how she got her start in the music industry, how she can tell the difference between a mediocre song and a hit, and why she is working to make the industry more inclusive for women.

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