Alliance for Women Film Composers Appoints New Leadership with Taura Stinson and Ronit Kirchman as Co-Presidents

The Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC) has announced new leadership, naming Taura Stinson and Ronit Kirchman as co-presidents. They succeed Allyson Newman and Heather McIntosh, who have held the roles since 2023. The announcement also includes the appointment of Holly Amber Church as treasurer, succeeding Thomas Mikusz.

With a global membership of over 1,000 composers, the AWFC continues to grow as a key organization advocating for equity and representation in music for visual media.

In a joint statement, Stinson and Kirchman emphasized their commitment to continuing the organization’s mission while expanding its reach:

“We are deeply honored to step into the co-presidency of the Alliance of Women Film Composers, which, from its inception, has elevated the conversation around film music and platformed the valuable contributions of women and gender-diverse composers and songwriters. We wish to thank Laura Karpman, whose founding vision has made this work possible, as well as exiting co-presidents Heather McIntosh and Allyson Newman, for the generosity and grace with which they have passed the torch. Now that we hold it, we intend to keep it burning bright!

We look forward to putting the value of composers and songwriters front and center through continuing programs as well as bold new initiatives that rise to meet the changing currents of our industry. We are committed to amplifying the songwriters and composers who pour themselves into the art form of telling stories through music, and to championing the profound creativity they bring to the screen.

Central to our work will be holding the door open as we align with like-minded partners throughout the film, television, and media community to create new opportunities for our members and women across our industry. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by our colleagues, and we step into this role with humility, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to serving our members.”

Taura Stinson, an Oscar-, Golden Globe-, and Emmy-nominated songwriter and composer, has an extensive portfolio across film, television, and international performances.

Her credits include Thelma the Unicorn, Rio 2, Cruella, and Beyond the Lights, and she has collaborated with composers like Laura Karpman, Nicholas Britell, and Raphael Saadiq. She has written songs for artists such as Mary J. Blige, Steven Tyler, Usher, Brittany Howard, Brandy, and Jennifer Hudson, showcasing her ability to work in both film scoring and modern music.

Composer Ronit Kirchman is widely recognized for her genre-blending approach to film and television scoring.

Her recent work includes the series Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, the feature American Solitaire (executive produced by David Oyelowo), and the sci-fi film Fractal. She is also known for her score for The Sinner, which was named among IndieWire’s Best TV Scores, as well as Evil Eye, for which she received a Hollywood Music in Media Award.

Beyond screen work, Kirchman’s practice spans composition, performance, and education, with affiliations including Yale University, CalArts, and collaborations with institutions such as the Sundance Institute and BMI.

Founded in 2014 by Laura Karpman, Miriam Cutler, Lolita Ritmanis, and Chandler Poling, the AWFC was established to address long-standing disparities in visibility and opportunities for women composers. Since its founding, the organization has created initiatives including mentorship programs, performance opportunities, and an extensive composer directory used by industry professionals across film, television, and media. With its growing global membership and ongoing advocacy efforts, the AWFC remains a key force in promoting inclusion within the music and entertainment industries.

The newly appointed leadership team includes Alexandra Borden as Executive Director, along with officers Ronit Kirchman and Taura Stinson (Co-Presidents), EmmoLei Sankofa (Vice President of Outreach and Inclusion), Daisy Coole (Secretary), and Holly Amber Church (Treasurer).

The Board of Directors includes Aisling Brouwer, Alex Petkovski, Arbel Bedak, Connor Cook, Daisy Coole, Denisse Ojeda, EmmoLei Sankofa, Esin Aydingoz, Joy Ngiaw, Kati Falk-Flores, Kezia Tomsett, Mandy Hoffman, Raashi Kulkarni, Sandrine Rudaz, Sarah Roche, Suad Bushnaq, Tina Pepper, and Zoë Lustri.