Founder of Spark in the Dark & Co-Founder of HelpLink.

As the founder of Spark in the Dark, a nonprofit connecting individuals in need with resources, I've spearheaded a movement that has empowered over 30,000 members and 18 volunteers across Michigan, facilitating the resolution of over 100,000 needs since 2017. With a mission to enable direct assistance anytime, anywhere, Spark embodies the power of community support.

Recognizing the need for businesses to maximize their social impact, I co-founded HelpLink, a platform revolutionizing corporate philanthropy. With HelpLink, I'm passionate about streamlining corporate giving, ensuring businesses can support local causes while prioritizing the needs of their employees. Our innovative approach fosters a culture of giving within organizations and communities, enhancing brand reputation and driving meaningful change.

As an entrepreneur committed to driving social impact through technology and innovation, I bring over 12 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and nonprofit leadership. Named one of the 2022 "40 under 40" to watch in Northern Michigan and recognized as one of the region's most influential women, I've been honored for my dedication to community building and philanthropy. Additionally, Spark in the Dark was awarded the 2020 Torch of Ethics by the Better Business Bureau and selected as one of 77 organizations worldwide for the 2020 Facebook Community Accelerator, receiving direct training from Meta (Facebook).

Chosen as an "Artist to Watch" by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot and others, Walker Montgomery knows a thing or two about family tradition, but is also striving to build his own legacy. The son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery was raised away from the spotlight in Nicholasville, Kentucky, but moved to Nashville and is carving a path all his own on today’s country scene. Walker made his Grand Ole Opry debut late last year and his pedigree is matched only by his passion for real country music, and he’s already put his classically-inspired, honey-bourbon vocal to use on a self-penned debut hit (“Simple Town,” over 5.2 Million Spotify streams).  His romantic power-ballad, “She Don’t Know,” (featured on the 2022 RUST EP) has garnered the new artist over 20 million streams worldwide, in addition to his other story-building singles, the high-energy “Out of Nowhere” and good-time filled “Bad Day To Be A Beer.” Walker has previously released singles from his ep WORK TO DO, the title track, “Lonely for A Livin,’” “Tired of You" and "Never Again One More Time,” as well as a collaboration version of "Never Again One More Time,” with Randy Rogers.  Walker’s current release “I Love The Way You Love Me” has garnered more than 30 MILLION views on his TikTok page.  His latest EP produced by Bart Butler will release early next year.

Shawn McSpadden was born in Ft. Worth Texas but considers Nashville home.  Shawn attended Franklin Road Academy, where he played football and baseball, helping win two state championships, was captain of the football team, and President of his senior class.

College life started at Liberty University, followed by a transfer to Belmont University in the Fall of 1988. While attending Belmont, Shawn and his father Gary McSpadden started McSpadden Music Group where he was able to develop and publish artists and writers.

McSpadden Music Group grew quickly and became McSpadden-Smith Music with a full-scale management company as well as a catalog of over 20 staff songwriters and over 3,500 copyrights. Songs published by McSpadden - Smith Music were recorded by artists such as Faith Hill, Vince Gill, She Daisy, Earth Wind and Fire, Amy Grant and many others. The catalog contained over 30 #1 chart topping songs in both the Country and Christian Billboard charts. In 1998 McSpadden - Smith was purchased by Music and Media International and Shawn took over as VP/GM of Word Music publishing.

During his time as VP/GM for Word Music Publishing he also added the title of Senior VP of Artist and Repertoire for Word/Warner Bros. Records where he worked with Randy Travis, Sixpence None the Richer, MuteMath and Robert Randolph, among others. In 2004 Shawn left Word/ Warner Bros. Records to team up with Greg Hill at Greg Hill Management and began managing artists in both the Country and Christian industry.

 In 2006 the company became a part of Red Light Management where he worked alongside Coran Capshaw to develop the Nashville office and roster.

In 2023 after many years at Red Light Management Shawn became Managing Partner at Range Media Partners in Nashville Tennessee. Range Media Partners is a diverse company representing talent in Film/TV, Music, Sports and Influencers with offices in Santa Monica, Nashville, New York and London.

Shawn has served on the board of Music for the Soul, Belle Meade Plantation, the Gospel Music Association and NARAS. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Country Music and is Chairman of the board for the Academy’s Lifting Lives.  He completed Leadership Music in 2001 and is involved with Habitat for Humanity along with other charities.

Kylen Sharpe is an Agent in the Music department at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Sharpe is based in the Nashville office and works with such artists as Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Shaboozey, Niko Moon, Danae Hays, Aaron Watson, Tyler Braden and developing clients Walker Montgomery, Clayton Mullen and Reid Haughton.  She is also responsible for booking fairs, festivals and rodeos throughout the mid-South for CAA's entire country roster including Keith Urban, Jelly Roll, Zac Brown Band, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson and others.  

Sharpe began her career at APA and joined CAA in 2010.

Sharpe sits on the board (and serves as Vice Chair) at Monroe Harding and serves as a mentor, helping a young people transition out of the foster care system and in to adulthood.  She also serves as a mentor inside CAA working with a group of developing women in the support staff.  In 2015, Sharpe won the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s Rookie of the Year award.  In 2018, she was featured as an “Agent to Watch” in Variety’s music issue.

Sharpe graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Microbiology. 

Graduating from Belmont University in 2003 with a Music Business degree - I started my career at Stiff Entertainment working with Allison Krauss & Union Station during the Oh Brother Where Art Though phenomenon. From there I went on to Greg Hill Entertainment. While at GHE, I worked with several manager and artists (Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins, Jamie O’Neal) and eventually partnered with Shawn McSpadden to move into a Day to Day Management role across his roster

While working in day to day management role with Shawn we represented artists in both Country and Christian Music. Greg Hill Entertainment eventually forged a partnership with Red Light Management and we became the Nashville office for RLM. Shawn and I were with Red Light for 16 years where we oversaw the careers of Third Day (garnering several gold and platinum records, Grammy awards, Dove Awards), Kip Moore (4 #1 songs at Country Radio, double platinum songs, international tours), Switchfoot and many others.

In 2023 I joined Range Media Partners and moved to full Artist Management. Today I currently manage Girl Named Tom (2021 winners of The Voice, signed to Republic), and Walker Montgomery.