ROBBY KLEIN
Brittany Schaffer
Occupation: Dean, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Holding a senior leadership role in the entertainment and higher education industries while unapologetically balancing life as a wife and mom of a 4- and 2-year-old. I describe my world as “joyful chaos!” It is a juggling act, but I hope I can be an example to my staff and to others that you can have a successful career and still be present for and prioritize your family.
Who is someone you consider a hero and why?
Dr. Soha Patel is an OB and Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My husband and I met her on one of our worst days, when we lost a child to pre-term labor at 20 weeks. She saw us through that loss with grace and compassion and told me to come see her when I was pregnant again so that she could see me through a healthy pregnancy. Through thoughtful, individualized care, Dr. Patel did just that. She eventually delivered both of my children, Scarlett (age 4) and Tate (age 2) and checked on me every day of my hospital stay. I am proud now to call her a friend and my real-life hero!
What organization are you affiliated with and why is it important to you?
One of the greatest honors in my professional journey is servicing on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association (CMA) and its philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation. It is the place where the country music industry comes together to expand country music around the world and serve and honor those who make their living in the genre. This work also fuels the CMA Foundation, which works tirelessly to provide equitable access to music education to create impactful change for students and teachers across the United States.
Special thanks to Grogan Jewelers by Lon for bringing some extra sparkle to our shoot! Brittany Schaffer is wearing: 18 karat white gold 21.37 carat Oval cut diamond tennis necklace by Norman Silverman; 18 karat white gold 8.81 carat mixed shape diamond tennis bracelet.