Mary Luehrsen serves as Professor of Practice in the School of Music at the University of South Carolina and supports music majors as they develop as musical and artistic leaders in communities and organizations. Mary was the director of public affairs and government relations for NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants for 23 years and was the founding executive director of the NAMM Foundation (2006). As a leader in policy and advocacy efforts, Mary developed NAMM’s Washington DC Advocacy Fly-in that trains NAMM business leaders as music education advocates working on federal, state and local levels. She also created NAMM’s GenNext and Music Education Days programs that host thousands of university music faculty, students and music educators at the annual NAMM Show to inspire career options in music, connections with the music industry and advance opportunities for music learning.  Luehrsen also created the NAMM Foundation’s Nonprofit Management Institute held at the NAMM Show that supports and trains leaders and staff of over 300 music service organizations with goals to strengthen their effectiveness.  Luehrsen focuses on rallying talents and energies of people and organizations to advance opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to know the joys and benefits of making and learning music.