Samantha Juneman '11 at 29 is one of just two professionals under 30 being recognized in Billboard's prestigious 2019 "40 Under 40," a roster of young executives shaking up the music industry.

Juneman honed skills at Pacific that allowed her to fulfill her purpose of promoting the work of musical artists.

"Pacific took my passion for music and community and showed me how to build a tangible career out of it," Juneman said. "I was a creative-minded young violinist interested in everything and anything. With kind and careful guidance from Keith Hatschek and the staff of Pacific's music management program, I became a focused, analytical and innovative academic. And now I proudly carry those traits as an executive doing what I love."

Juneman's enthusiasm for the music industry was clear during her time at Pacific as a music management major.

"Samantha showed a genuine curiosity about every aspect of the music business during her time at Pacific," said Hatschek, professor and director of the music management program. "Her senior research project was a critical appraisal of the then-emerging model of music streaming, which now looks quite prescient. She also developed a deep appreciation for varied styles of music as she played classical, rock and punk while in school."

Juneman's career rise has been dramatic since graduating from Pacific in 2011. After completing a master's degree in digital media at University of Washington, she worked for a digital marketing agency developing campaigns for a wide range of clients, including Paramount Pictures, HTC, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Warner Brothers Pictures and KIA. In 2016, she joined Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment, as senior manager for streaming and social media, and has rapidly advanced up the corporate ladder. She now serves in a worldwide role as UMG's vice president of commercial partnerships. Juneman and her team have promoted 12 No. 1 records so far this year.

Juneman is still involved with Pacific's music management program and serves on the Music Management Advisory Board. For a week in 2017, she returned to Pacific as a practitioner in residence to teach students of the university's Conservatory of Music and Eberhardt School of Business about digital media promotion.

"That was a deeply rewarding moment for me to see her teaching the fine points of this emerging field to future music professionals," Hatschek said.