Erin Benjamin is the Executive Vice President, Advocacy & Strategy at the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT), responsible for advancing the organization’s advocacy and long-term strategic direction to position Ottawa as a competitive, future-ready capital city.
A nationally respected executive with more than 25 years of C-suite leadership experience, Erin most recently served as the first President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA). Over more than a decade, she built and led the organization representing the businesses that power Canada’s live music ecosystem, establishing a unified industry voice and securing transformational federal investments in the sector.
An advocate with international distinction, Erin spearheaded groundbreaking research that reshaped government understanding of live music’s economic and cultural value, including “Hear and Now”, the first-ever national impact analysis of Canada’s live music industry. Her work has influenced public policy, strengthened industry infrastructure, and elevated the sector as a driver of economic growth, tourism, and community vitality.
Erin began her career as a touring and recording singer-songwriter before transitioning into key leadership roles as the inaugural Executive Director of Folk Music Ontario and later at the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA). Throughout her career, she has been known for building coalitions, aligning diverse stakeholders, and advancing pragmatic, results-driven policy solutions.
Deeply committed to her community, Erin currently serves on the board of United Way Eastern Ontario and has contributed her expertise to the National Arts Centre’s Creation Fund, Ottawa Bluesfest, the Ottawa Film Commission, and many others.
Her leadership has earned extensive recognition and awards, including Changemaker of the Year (Women in Music Canada, 2024). She has twice been named to Billboard Canada’s Women in Music Honourees list (2024, 2025).
A proud Ottawa resident since 2003, Erin is a Golden Retriever fanatic, competitive golfer, and mom to two incredible kids.