Initiative Chair

Freddie Moross, Founder and CEO, Myndstream, United Kingdom

Recognized as a disruptive thought leader, Freddie founded Myndstream with a mission to unlock the transformative power of music for enhanced well-being. Awarded the 2022 Debra Simon Award for his innovative approach to wellness, Freddie now pioneers a new era of audio in hospitality, crafting unforgettable guest experiences that enhance well-being and foster deeper emotional connections with brands.

Vice Chair

Rob Marshall, Consultant, United Kingdom

Rob Marshall is a UK-based consultant specialising in music and technology. He has over 15 years of experience in commercial roles with Spotify, Amazon and Sony Music. Rob has a particular interest in the intersection of music, health, and technology and runs the newsletter Sounds Good!, which covers news and developments across these fields. Today, he works with startups, music companies and charities that are driving innovation in this space. In his previous roles, Rob led music licensing for Spotify’s international expansion into the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia. At Amazon, he managed relations with major and independent record labels in the UK. He began his career at Sony Music, during which time he negotiated licensing agreements with numerous digital services across the EMEA region.

Lori F. Gooding, PhD, MT-BC

United States

Lori F. Gooding is an Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of Music Education/Music Therapy at Florida State University. Dr. Gooding taught at Charleston Southern University and founded the academic and clinical music therapy programs at the University of Kentucky before joining the FSU faculty in 2015. Her research and teaching interests include music therapy in healthcare, focusing on biopsychosocial care and patient-and family centered care, as well as music therapy education. Gooding’s publications appear in a variety of refereed journals including the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy. She is editor of Medical Music Therapy: Building a Comprehensive Program and co-author of Procedural Support Music Therapy: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice and Program. Development. Dr. Gooding has held numerous service roles, and she is currently the Immediate Past President of the American Music Therapy Association. In addition to her service roles, she has presented nationally and internationally and received several grants, including a Fulbright grant to Malaysia. She received the BME degree from the University of South Carolina and the MM and PhD degrees from Florida State University.

Tom Middleton

United Kingdom

Tom Middleton is an award-winning Sound and Sensory Designer, celebrated for his pioneering work in Audio Therapeutics targeting sleep, relaxation, cognitive performance, pain, and anxiety. Co-founder of White Mirror, a Wellness Innovation Consultancy and Neuroscience Research Lab with Ramy Elnagar, Tom leads the creation of immersive, evidence-based, health-promoting experiences blending science, art, transformative tech, and biophilic design. His innovative projects include a brand-specific, real-time generative AI soundscape technology. With a career spanning over 3 decades, Tom evolved from orchestral musician to pioneering ambient artist, global music producer and DJ, credited in over 700 recordings. His therapeutic compositions impact millions through Calm, Sleep Cycle, Apple Music, and Moonai. Notable projects include the world’s first synchronized breathing music for Breathonics, a zero-emission lullaby for Nissan, and Spatial Sleep and Focus works, plus a white paper for Platoon/Apple Music. He’s crafted a Sleep Masterclass for Sleep Cycle and the Sleep Better project for Universal Music Group with a companion app. As a Sound Architect, Tom spent nine years advancing sensory wellbeing experiences in hospitality. An avid acoustic ecologist and archeo-acoustics researcher, he explores ancient resonant frequencies, conducting studies in Egypt’s Great Pyramid. Certified in sleep science and mental health, Tom contributed the Sleep Chapter to Touring and Mental Health – The Music Industry Manual and continues his sonic research in an MSc Neuroscience program at Goldsmiths.

Cathy Olson

United States

Cathy Applefeld Olson is the founder of Hollywood & Mind – a first-of-its kind venture that uniquely bridges the entertainment industry and mental health communities – and a veteran entertainment journalist and entrepreneur. Hollywood & Mind is dedicated both to elevating the industry’s role in diminishing our global mental health crisis and improving the mental health and wellbeing of those who work in the industry. Hollywood & Mind has become a force for sparking deep intersectional dialogue and spurring action through its core tenets of connection, collaboration and creation. Events include an annual Summit hosted at UTA, and a Spotlight platform of events that shine a light on a specific topic including an annual Grammy Week Spotlight, and Spotlight on Black Representation in Hollywood. Demi Lovato, Mike Posner, Valerie June, Master P, Marion Wayans, Charlamagne tha God, Tiffany Haddish and Rachel Platten are among those who have spoken at events. Among her journalism endeavors, Cathy is the author of complementz#/ Forbes.com column Mind Reading, where she interviews culture influencers about their mental health journeys. Interviews have included Busy Philipps, Jewel, Michael Phelps, W Kamau Bell, Joey BadaS$, Tinx, Chris Olsen and Christina Perry. She’s also a frequent contributor to Billboard. Cathy is from Baltimore, Maryland, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She and her husband Brent are the parents of two awesome young women, Olivia and Jacqueline.

Bryan Stone

SVP of Business Development, Global Digital Strategy, Universal Music Group, United Kingdom

Bryan Stone is Senior Vice President of Business Development for Universal Music Group’s Global Digital Strategy division, which is responsible for driving commerce initiatives and identifying business opportunities in new technology. Over the past 19 years, Stone has worked closely with senior management and label leadership to develop and maximize digital ventures and business models in the global music marketplace ranging from ad-supported and subscription streaming, social media, gaming, artificial intelligence and health & wellness.

Dr Michelle Ulor

United Kingdom

Dr Michelle Ulor (BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD) is a music psychologist, DJ and VC/startup consultant. Selected as one of Brummell Magazine’s Top 30 Inspirational Women in 2024, she has a career characterised by curiosity and drive. With over a decade of rich experience, her research journey has positioned her as an expert in the field of music and wellbeing, research design, and the exploration of innovative ideas. Her passion for the transformative power of music on mental wellbeing is evident not only in her research but also in her roles as a creative professional. She is also the founder of Kinos Studio, a music psychology studio dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and commercial applications in the industry. Dr Ulor is also a multifaceted talent, serving as a DJ, radio host, and writer. Driven by a commitment to making a genuine impact, she extends her expertise to the industry, where her insights are sought after by those eager to leverage the intersection of music, psychology, and innovation, where she has worked with the likes of Soho House, Design Hotels, The House of KOKO, BBC Radio, The Ministry of Sound, ICA and more.