Cindy Charles, Twitch’s Head of Music, tragically passed away at the age of 69 following a traffic accident in The Netherlands. Her untimely death has left a significant impact on the music community and her colleagues at Twitch.
A Tribute to Her Impact
Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy shared the news on LinkedIn, emphasizing Charles’ vital contributions to the platform. “Anyone that uses music on Twitch owes a debt of gratitude to Cindy’s work,” he wrote, highlighting her role in negotiating important music licensing agreements, including a recent deal specifically for DJs.
Charles was set to speak at the Amsterdam Dance Event, a major dance music industry conference, just days after her passing. She was known for her expertise and dedication to helping DJs navigate the platform.
A Career Built on Music and Advocacy
Before her time at Twitch, Charles had a distinguished career in the music and digital media industry. She spent three years at Amazon as the head of business development for music and worked at Viacom for seven years managing digital legal and business affairs for MTV Networks.
Charles was also a passionate advocate for women in the industry. She co-founded Women in Digital, which boasts over 1,500 members, and established the San Francisco chapter of She is the Music.
Originally from Queens, New York, she later moved to Berkeley, California. She earned her degree in political science from SUNY Buffalo. Charles is survived by her husband, Ricky Fishman, and two sons.
Remembering Cindy Charles
In a heartfelt remembrance, Twitch’s Kira Karlstrom reflected on Charles’ caring nature, stating, “Every success, every setback felt deeply personal because Cindy made it that way. She cared about her team with all her heart.”
Cindy Charles will be remembered not just for her professional achievements but for the warmth and kindness she brought to her work.Suggested Tags
