Founder of Musically Fed | Entertainment Executive | Artist Manager | Tour Marketing Strategist
Maria is the Founder and Director of Musically Fed, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with artists, promoters, and venues nationwide to donate unused backstage catering from concerts and events to local nonprofits serving individuals and families facing food insecurity. Since 2018, Musically Fed has rescued and redirected hundreds of thousands of meals across the country, including more than 350,000 in its hometown Phoenix. Since its founding, Musically Fed has rescued more than 870,000 meals and continues to expand its impact through partnerships with major tours, festivals, sporting events, and venues.
With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Insight’s clients are a hit list of legends including Eric Clapton, The Moody Blues, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, MCA Nashville, Clint Black, Donna Summer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Country Cares, baseball luminary Tony LaRussa, Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba, the Wiggles, and a variety of tours and festivals including Eric Clapton’s historic Crossroads Festival. Providing strategic marketing, tour promotion and artist management services, Insight Management is located in Scottsdale, AZ.
Maria began her career working for over a decade for legendary promoters Jerry Weintraub and Tom Hulett at Concerts West, whose stellar client list included Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, John Denver, Neil Diamond, Earth, Wind and Fire, and many more. Maria’s responsibilities included tour marketing, project marketing, record releases and a variety of entertainment events. Dedicated to giving back to the next generation of entertainment industry professionals, in 2002 Ms. Brunner helped found the entertainment business program at the University of Montana, where she continues to teach and hold an advisory role. Maria has additionally held an advisory board position at California State University’s Entertainment Business Program, where she was a visiting instructor. Maria’s lifelong commitment to working with the music industry to mobilize and improve the lives of others extends beyond education. Presently, Maria sits on the board for two regional St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital initiatives, as well as Phoenix animal rescue PAC911. Maria additionally resided on the boards for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Country Cares for Kids for over 29 years, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s ARF for ten years, and renowned musical instrument non-profit, Ear Candy, for five years. Maria was honored as one of the recipients of the Heroes of Live Award at the Pollstar Awards in Los Angeles in 2021. The award was given to five recipients who went “far above and beyond their traditional ‘day/night jobs’ to help the larger live industry and our communities in crucial ways that include altruism, advocacy, diversity and inclusivity and more.” She was also honored as one of Pollstar’s 2021 Women of Live and named to Pollstar’s 2020 Impact 50 list as one of the Caretakers.
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