With over two decades of expertise, Linda Coogan Byrne stands as a trailblazer in the music industry, celebrated for her impactful contributions to gender and racial diversity.
Currently serving as the CEO of the award-winning PR & Marketing Company, Good Seed PR, and Culture Change company Why Not Her?, Linda’s influence extends far beyond the music business.
With over two decades of expertise, Linda Coogan Byrne stands as a trailblazer in the music, art, sport and culture industry, celebrated for her impactful contributions to gender and racial diversity.
Currently serving as the CEO of the award-winning PR & Marketing Company, Good Seed PR, and Culture Change company Why Not Her?, Linda’s influence extends far beyond the music, pr, and entertainment business.
As an unwavering activist and Managing Director of the culture change company, Why Not Her?, Linda has significantly reshaped Irish and UK radio airplay towards gender and racial parity. Her Gender & Racial Disparity Data Reports, addressing the industry’s lack of diversity, have propelled the #WhyNotHer movement to unprecedented heights, reaching over 220 million audiences.
Linda’s accolades include recognition among the Top 100 most influential women in Ireland in 2021, an acknowledgment of her dedication to challenging perceptions and making a positive impact on a global scale. In 2024, she was named among the Top 20 influential women in Ireland, solidifying her status as a key figure in the industry.
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As an award-winning activist, strategist, and Managing Director of Why Not Her? — a Culture Change, Communications, and HR company — Linda Coogan Byrne has become one of the most influential voices driving equity and accountability across the Irish and UK music and media landscapes. Her groundbreaking Gender & Racial Disparity Data Reports have reshaped how radio, festivals, and media approach representation, sparking national conversations and policy change while propelling the #WhyNotHer movement to a global reach of over 220 million.
In recognition of her relentless advocacy, Linda was honoured by UN Women UK with the Outstanding Contributor to Gender Equality Award (2025) — a testament to her transformative impact and fearless leadership in advancing women’s voices and visibility.
Her influence has also been widely celebrated at home and abroad: she was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Ireland (2021), listed again among the Top 20 in 2024, and inducted into the Hall of Honour at the UK Music Week Women in Music Awards, solidifying her standing as a cultural changemaker whose work continues to redefine fairness, diversity, and truth in the creative industries.
Linda was also part of a historic moment for the media sector in Ireland (July 2024) when Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, launched Coimisiún na Meán’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Linda was a stakeholder consultant on this groundbreaking strategy, the first of its kind for the industry, which aims to foster a culture of equality and inclusivity in the media.
Linda has widely featured in and written for reputable outlets such as The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Clash, BBC, RTE, and many more. Her engagements as a speaker, lecturer, and panellist at esteemed events and festivals underscore her commitment to fostering change. Notable appearances include Hotpress MixSix, Women’sWork, OutPut, MUTEK Barcelona, and BBC The Biggest Weekend Festival, among others.
In her roles as a Music, Art, Sport, and Culture Consultant/Publicist, Linda has represented acclaimed clients, acts and bands, including Cyndi Lauper, Suzanne Vega, Counting Crows, and Duran Duran.Â
Linda’s extensive experience with record labels and management companies, including Cooking Vinyl Records, Warner, Universal, V2 Records, and Thirty Tigers, further attests to her influence.
Beyond the music realm, she served as a board member of the Arts Council of Ireland, contributing to the funding, development, and promotion of the arts in the country, and worked on shaping the new Music Policy of the Arts Council of Ireland.
Linda was also part of a historic moment for the media sector in Ireland (July 2024) when Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, launched Coimisiún na Meán’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Linda was a stakeholder consultant on this groundbreaking strategy, the first of its kind for the industry, which aims to foster a culture of equality and inclusivity in the media.
Widely featured in reputable outlets such as The Guardian, Sunday Times, Clash, BBC, RTE, and The Independent, Linda’s work has left an indelible mark. Her engagements as a speaker, lecturer, and panellist at esteemed events and festivals underscore her commitment to fostering change. Notable appearances include Hotpress MixSix, Women’sWork, OutPut, MUTEK Barcelona, and BBC The Biggest Weekend Festival, among others.
In her roles as a Music Consultant/Publicist and Culture Changer/DEI specialist, Linda has represented acclaimed acts and bands, including Cyndi Lauper, Suzanne Vega, Amanda Palmer, Counting Crows, and Duran Duran.Â
Linda’s extensive experience with record labels and management companies, including Cooking Vinyl Records, Warner, Universal, V2 Records, and Thirty Tigers, further attests to her influence.
Beyond the music realm, she served as a board member of the Arts Council of Ireland, contributing to the funding, development, and promotion of the arts in the country, and worked on shaping the new Music Policy of the Arts Council of Ireland.
Inducted into the Music Week Women in Music 2024 Hall of Honour for her work with Why Not Her?
IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2025. Category: Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year
For highlighting the importance of representation, diversity and gender equality in global leadership.
Winner of Outstanding Contributor To Gender Equality at the UN Women UK Awards, Oct 2025.
