Artistic mastery meets leadership growth
Our team
The Crescendo Leadership Program was born from a simple idea: artists and leaders face the same inner challenge — performing at the highest level while staying true to themselves.
Barbara Massury, CLP’s Founder & Program Author, envisioned Crescendo as a bridge between artistry and leadership. She shapes its strategic outlook, concepts, and institutional development while anchoring the program in empathy, excellence, and agency.
CLP’s artistic and editorial voice is guided by Mary Elizabeth Williams, Artistic & Creative Partner, and a critically acclaimed opera singer, writer, and creative producer. Mary Elizabeth curates CLP’s editorial projects and storytelling, merging leadership topics with lived artistic reflection and dialogue.
Together, Barbara and Mary Elizabeth are at the heart of Crescendo — leading with vision and voice.
Meet the Visionaries Behind the Crescendo Leadership Program.
Barbara D. Massury
Founder & Program Author
“Leadership and artistry are reflections of the same pursuit – to express yourself and have impact with purpose, strength and presence.”
Barbara D. Massury is a visionary leader and an expert in organizational development, change, and communications, with extensive experience in international corporations, business associations, and politics. She specializes in change management and leadership communications, having held key positions in media relations and executive communication before founding Massury.CC in 2008.
Barbara Massury is a trusted executive advisor and communications specialist to influential leaders. Her work with senior executives has shaped her distinctive approach that now also supports performing artists and creative leaders. By translating proven leadership principles into the artistic sphere, she helps individuals strengthen their presence, clarity of direction, and sustain their growth while maintaining their purpose.
Mary Elizabeth Williams
Creative Partner
Mary Elizabeth Williams is a critically acclaimed soprano who has been singing lead and title roles around the world for over two decades. Her interpretations of dramatic heroines like Aida, Abigaille, Tosca, and Lady Macbeth have been featured on many celebrated stages, including Teatro all Scala, Opera National de Paris, Canadian Opera Company; Seattle Opera, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, and Welsh National Opera. She is a passionate educator and writer. Her translation of Schoenberg’s Erwartung was featured in this year’s Salzburg Festspiele. For more information about Mary Elizabeth’s 2025/2026 season, visit www.maryelizabethwilliams.com.