Craigie Zildjian

Craigie Zildjian is the executive chair of the Avedis Zildjian Company, the oldest family-owned business in the United States. After graduating from Boston University with a master’s degree in education in 1976, Zildjian joined her father and grandfather in the family business as a personnel manager. Then, 23 years later, she became the first female CEO in the company’s 376-year history. The world's leading manufacturer of cymbals and drumsticks, the Zildjian Company has endowed a number of percussion scholarships at Berklee and enjoys a close relationship with the institution.

An active member of the music community, Zildjian served on the Board of Trustees of Berklee College of Music from 1996 to 2005. She has also served on the board of directors for the International Music Products Association (National Association of Music Merchants) and the board of overseers at New England Conservatory.