Patricia Leonard Appointed Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2026 - The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators, today announced that Patricia Leonard has been appointed to serve as Executive Director. She succeeds Nicole George-Middleton, who was recently promoted to Executive Vice President, Head of Creative Membership at ASCAP.

"For 50 years, The ASCAP Foundation has succeeded by providing recognition and support so that developing music creators of all kinds can flourish," said The ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams. "We are elated to have Patricia Leonard take over the Executive Director role and confident that her love of music and her deep background in the arts and philanthropy will enable the Foundation to continue to thrive for years to come."

"I couldn't be happier to join an organization with such noteworthy roots in the music community," said Leonard. "The Foundation's history of providing music education and nurturing aspiring songwriters and composers while extending the legacies of some of its most accomplished members is truly special and I look forward to sustaining that mission."

Leonard joins the ASCAP Foundation with more than two decades of experience in arts and philanthropy. She was formerly Chief Philanthropy Officer with the Princess Grace Foundation, where she led the planning and execution of charitable events and sponsorship opportunities and created new programs such as the Crown Patrons Society for high-value donors. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Institutional Giving for the Manhattan Theatre Club and as Director of Institutional Relations for the Metropolitan Opera.

Leonard serves on the boards of the New York New Music Ensemble and New York Women Composers, and is a founding member of the New York Composers Circle-organizations dedicated to advancing cutting-edge contemporary chamber music worldwide. She is the composer of My Dearest Friend, an opera inspired by the letters of John and Abigail Adams. Leonard studied under Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici through the CUNY Master of Music in Composition program and holds a B.Mus. from the Boston Conservatory and a B.A. from Merrimack College.

Founded in 1975 with a bequest from the estate of Tin Pan Alley songwriter Jack Norworth-the songwriter behind "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"-The ASCAP Foundation has supported American music creators through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs for five decades. In 2024 alone, its programs reached more than 300,000 individuals, including 60,000 K-12 students, through scholarships, mentorship initiatives and educational programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards and community outreach programs like "Children Will Listen," which takes children from underserved communities to what may be their first Broadway show. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and music lovers throughout the United States. It has a reputation for recognizing major talent like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pasek & Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), Emily Bear (Moana 2) and Shaina Taub (SUFFS) early in their careers.

About The ASCAP Foundation

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The ASCAP Foundation was founded in 1975. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established as a separate entity from ASCAP, dedicated to supporting and encouraging American music creators through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States.www.ascapfoundation.org

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CONTACT:

Cathy Nevins, ASCAP

cnevins (at) ascap.com