Maria José Guzmán Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List

Named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for her work cofounding fan engagement platform Sesh, Maria José Guzmán MA ’19 has emerged as a leading voice in the evolution of artist–fan relationships.

From early roles at Interscope Records Miami working with artists including Camila Cabello, Karol G, and Lele Pons to becoming chief marketing officer at Sesh in 2025, Guzmán’s career reflects a blend of strategic vision, industry fluency, and a deep understanding of fandom.

A Berklee Valencia alumna, Guzmán credits her time in the global entertainment and music business program with shaping how she navigates the industry. While completing her master’s degree, she quickly recognized that Berklee’s value extended beyond the classroom. “Berklee taught me how to navigate the industry,” she said. “It wasn’t just about the classes, but about learning how to connect, move with intention, and create opportunities.”

That mindset guided her determination to meet Rebeca León, who was managing and developing Rosalía at the time. When León’s schedule prevented one-on-one meetings with students, Guzmán persisted, ultimately securing a meeting for herself and a group of classmates at a music conference in France. Through León, she was later introduced to the newly appointed president of Interscope Records, who was actively seeking emerging talent with unconventional perspectives.

After graduating from Berklee Valencia, Guzmán joined Interscope Records as an intern. What began as an entry-level role grew into a nearly four-year tenure, during which she advanced to marketing director. She worked on projects spanning global artists such as Kali Uchis, Selena Gomez, and Camila Cabello, as well as developing early-stage talent—work she found especially meaningful. Her contributions included projects with Argentine trap artist Ca7riel, artist and creator Lele Pons, and Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Paopao. For Guzmán, long-term artist development—seeing early belief translate into sustained success—was the greatest reward.

After years at a major label, Guzmán made a decisive shift. She left Interscope to cofound Sesh, a platform designed to help artists build direct, meaningful relationships with their fans.

Sesh provides artists with the infrastructure to own their fan relationships, allowing them to identify fans, communicate directly through wallet passes and notifications, and offer more personalized experiences. The idea grew from Guzmán’s firsthand observations of gaps in how artists connect with audiences.

“Even if someone follows their favorite artist on Instagram, TikTok, and listens on Spotify, the artist still doesn’t really know who they are,” she said. “Artists should be able to talk to fans directly, reward them, and give them a better experience. Fans shouldn’t feel invisible.”

Today, Sesh works with more than 250 artists representing over 1 billion followers, 750 million listeners, and 44 Grammy Award nominations. Guzmán’s work has earned global recognition, including her inclusion on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. She has also participated in industry conversations about the future of the fan economy, most recently on a panel hosted by the International Career Center at Berklee Valencia alongside León.

Looking ahead, Guzmán aims to make platforms like Sesh an industry standard, giving artists of all sizes access to their fan data and the freedom to decide how they engage and monetize their audiences.

For Guzmán, success has never been about hype. It’s about access, trust, and building systems that last. Her advice to current Berklee students reflects the values that have shaped her career: take every opportunity seriously, do the work well, and build trust over time. “You need people who can speak well about you when you’re not in the room,” she said. “That credibility is what opens doors.”