Ceci Kuzman grew up as a “Foreign Service brat”, living all over the world – Turkey, Cameroon, Malawi, Uganda, Philippines – as her economist father worked in developing countries. She attended boarding school and college in the U.S. and always had a passion for music.
After briefly considering investment banking, she got a job at a record label working for legendary music executive Clive Davis. She spent over 20 years working in the music industry at record labels and artist management companies, running a division at Sony Music and later managing top artists like Shakira. She got into investing on behalf of artists while at their peaks so as to build generational wealth and provide “second acts” as insurance. This led to board roles as she helped protect artist investments in companies like Spotify and Facebook. Her first board was the nonprofit board of her boarding school, which had impressive governance and helped build relationships that led to corporate boards.
She emphasizes the importance of chemistry and trust in getting board seats, usually through networks rather than search firms. She looked for boards with strong, credible leaders and healthy companies where she could clearly add value. Once on boards, she aimed to be an impact player, establishing rapport through frequent outreach to board members and management between meetings. She rejects “faking it” and thinks some experience observing boards helps first-time directors.
She urges search firms to present more diverse candidate slates and directors to leverage networks to help develop more candidates of color. Though progress slowed post-George Floyd, she believes diversity remains imperative for commercial and shareholder value, not just social goodwill.
