Lauren Apolito

Lauren Apolito is the Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at HFA/Rumblefish, a SESAC Music Group company. For over two decades, Lauren has been a driving force in the music tech industry as she led the strategic development and evolution of HFA’s rights management platform, branded Rumblefish, designed to support digital licensing and innovation. Today Rumblefish is one of the leading providers of intellectual rights administration serving music tech, mobile, streaming, gaming, metaverse, AI and online video clientele.

Lauren operates at the intersection of music, data and technology. During her distinguished music industry career, Lauren’s achievements have had an industry-wide impact, providing the music rightsholder community with first-of-its-kind revenue opportunities and facilitating administration for those in the music distribution chain. She is a pioneer in the digital music space, heading key engagements with premier consumer media brands, and her leadership has propelled revenue growth and diversification.

Lauren is a thought leader in the industry and serves on the Advisory Board of Women in Music; mentors for NYU Steinhardt’s Entrepreneurship in Music program, TechStars Music, SXSW23, and GRAMMY® U; is a member of The Recording Academy and the Country Music Association; and was recognized as a 3x Billboard Digital Power Player. She is also a frequent industry speaker at events such as MusicAlly and Music Tectonics.

Prior to her HFA/Rumblefish tenure, Lauren was an international banking executive. She was VP at eCiti, Citigroup’s center for strategic investments in technology and an incubator for new online businesses, and with Nikko where she focused on global asset management strategies. Additionally Lauren has launched entrepreneurial ventures, is experienced in the inclusive capital arena, and functions as a trusted advisor, investor and board member for social impact and diverse-founder companies. She is also on the board of Pet Partners, an organization that trains and registers therapy animals and their handlers to visit people in need. Lauren has an MBA in Finance and International Business from Fordham University, Graduate School of Business. She also holds a B.A. in Economics and Spanish from Bucknell University and studied at Regent’s College European Business School in London.