Born and raised in Alberta, Maryanne is a respected community leader; through the numerous leadership roles in the cultural industries through music and the entertainment industry, including many awards and recognition. Maryanne has knowledge and expertise of, and a demonstrated commitment to, culture, broadly defined to include the arts, creative and cultural industries, heritage, multicultural communities, recreation, and the not-for-profit/volunteer sectors. She has demonstrated interest in social innovation including engaging more Albertans in culture, especially in music, promoting the role of technology that is so important to the careers of young artists. Global Country has a proven record of devoting time to the community, developing new country talent, producing an annual event, "The Global Country Festival of the Stars", producing Rising Star shows, promoting country concerts in general and supporting local children's charities. Global Country provides a link to Nashville, Tennessee (home of the Grand Old Opry) in a relationship that dates back to 1987.