Music grad Heather Gardner recognized in inaugural edition of Billboard Canada “40 Under 40”
This November, Billboard Canada is celebrating the next generation of music industry leaders this year with their inaugural edition of 40 Under 40.
Included among the list of creative visionaries, savvy marketers, boundary-pushing artist managers, cultural curators and live leaders is Western Music alumna Heather Gardner, Head of Music Supervision and Licensing, Vapor Music Group/Long Division, and President of the Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada.
As part of the announcement released in November, Billboard Canada included this write up:
“Heather Gardner brings worlds together. She’s a bridge between the music industry and film, television and advertising, helping both come together in meaningful ways. As head of music supervision and licensing at Vapor Music Group/Long Division, she’s placed music for Netflix’s global top 10 hit Bet, Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders, Director X’s Robyn Hood and TIFF-premiering films Paying For It, Young Werther and Hell of a Summer. A two-time Canadian Sync Award winner with ten nominations to date, she’s helped elevate the visibility of Canadian supervision work on the global stage.”
“Earlier this year, Gardner was appointed president of the Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada, where she’s advancing advocacy and education across the country’s screen and music sectors. Music syncs are a major financial and promotional opportunity for artists, which is something she’s passionate about showing independent creators. She’s also an advocate for bringing humanity to work. “We’re seeing this generation in the music industry refusing to accept that ego and bullying are the only ways to get ahead,” she says. “I frequently say that I just want to work with good humans, and I truly believe that there’s no excuse in today’s industry in being anything else.””
The inaugural edition will be unveiled in a launch event on November 20, 2025 in Toronto. This evening will gather honourees, artists and key figures from across the industry for an evening dedicated to honouring achievements and fostering connection throughout Canada’s music ecosystem.
On behalf of the entire Don Wright Faculty of Music, congratulations to Heather on this well-deserved recognition.
Photo via Billboard Canada website
