Claudia Leo started her career in education at a young age as an EFL teacher, founder and owner of an English Language Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she created curricula, mentored, and advised students. As a result of finding success in entrepreneurship, she was able to move to Michigan on her own means, while still a teenager, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Michigan.
She joined the university in 1999 as a staff member, where she has served in various positions, including B2B global marketing and publishing in the ESL/EFL/ELT space, and student programming and event production in the international and DEI spaces, developing a unique and diverse career path as a higher education professional. In addition, Claudia obtained DEI Certification from the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan via the Rackham Graduate School. She was awarded the UMSI Staff Diversity Award in 2019, the UMSI Staff Award for Impact in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in 2021, and the Office of the Provost Distinguished Diversity Leaders Team Award in 2024.
In the extracurricular realm, Claudia has a background in entrepreneurship in the arts and the entertainment industries, having worked with ballet dancers at world-renowned theaters such as l’Opéra in Paris, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. A veteran of the music industry with 3 decades of experience, she has also founded and operated a variety of LLCs, including an international record label. As part of the label she wore many hats: toured nationally and internationally as a drummer, spoke at leading industry panels, performed at internationally-recognized showcases and festivals, released records in all formats including vinyl, tour managed international bands, produced multi-band festivals, served as talent buyer, served as trainer and merchandiser to leading musical instruments manufacturers, and licensed music to Hollywood productions, syndicated shows, and cable networks such as MTV.
In her free time, Claudia enjoys traveling internationally, attending music industry trade shows, playing and supporting live music. She is also the founder of a local arts and crafts fair, and is a designer and maker within that space. DJ Truffles, her dog, runs her household. If any of these topics speak to you, feel free to connect with her. Claudia is always happy to spread her knowledge of all-things music entrepreneurship and beyond.
