Full Compass Chair Susan Lipp Named NAMM Entrepreneur of the Year

MADISON, Wis. – January 22, 2026 – Susan Lipp, the long-serving Chairman of Full Compass Systems, has been named the NAMM Female Entrepreneur of the Year. The prestigious honor will be presented at the 2026 She Rocks Awards, an event hosted by the Women's International Music Network (WiMN) during the upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.

The award recognizes women who have forged successful enterprises while making significant and lasting contributions to the music and music products industries. Lipp joins an elite group of past and present honorees, including acclaimed artists, visionary executives, and global advocates who have shaped the landscape of music.

For Lipp, the recognition culminates a nearly five-decade career defined by a dual commitment to building a nationally recognized business and championing the arts. Her journey reflects a powerful synthesis of entrepreneurial drive, cultural leadership, and a pioneering spirit that opened doors for women in an industry historically dominated by men.

Building an Industry Pillar

Susan Lipp joined Full Compass Systems in 1978, just a year after it was founded by her husband, Jonathan Lipp. Bringing a dynamic background in professional theatre management, she infused the nascent company with deep expertise in sales, public engagement, and audience building. This experience proved foundational to shaping the company's culture, which prioritizes relationships and expertise over transactional sales.

Under her leadership, Full Compass evolved from a small operation with two employees into a national leader in the professional audio, video, lighting, and conferencing solutions market. Today, the Madison-based company boasts a 140,000-square-foot headquarters, a separate 80,000-square-foot warehouse, and a team of nearly 200 employees. It serves a diverse clientele across broadcast, live production, education, and government sectors, offering over 100,000 products from 800 different manufacturers.

More than just a successful enterprise, Full Compass stands as one of Wisconsin's largest woman-owned businesses, a testament to Lipp’s central role in its growth and strategic direction. Her influence has been instrumental in establishing the company's reputation for personalized service and technical proficiency, transforming it into a respected pillar of the pro-AV industry.

A Lifelong Harmony of Arts and Advocacy

Long before her name was synonymous with pro-AV retail, Susan Lipp was a force in the arts community. Her career is guided by a deeply held belief that philanthropy is not merely a byproduct of commercial success, but its ultimate purpose. This philosophy has been the driving force behind decades of tireless advocacy for arts, music education, and community engagement.

Her dedication began early. Before joining Full Compass, Lipp founded the Wisconsin Community Theatre Association in the 1970s, establishing a foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to cultural leadership. Over the years, she has served on over 60 boards of directors, holding leadership positions for more than 26 years. Her current service on nine boards includes influential roles with the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Madison Opera, where her strategic guidance has helped sustain and grow these vital cultural institutions.

Perhaps one of her most impactful achievements lies in the realm of music education. As a board member for the University of Wisconsin School of Music, Lipp was a key architect in the successful effort to reinstate the university's jazz degree program. Her leadership and passion were instrumental in helping secure the program's first $1 million in philanthropic support, ensuring its viability for future generations of musicians.

A Trailblazer in Music Industry Leadership

Susan Lipp's influence extends far beyond her company and home state. She has been a quiet but formidable trailblazer within the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), a 125-year-old organization. When she joined the NAMM Board of Directors, the organization was already 110 years old, yet she was one of the first three women ever to hold that position. This groundbreaking appointment marked a significant step forward for gender diversity in the industry's highest echelons.

She continued to break barriers by becoming the first woman to serve on the NAMM Foundation Board of Directors. In this role, she dedicated 14 years to advocating for music education in Washington, D.C. As a participant in eight NAMM Advocacy Fly-Ins, Lipp directly lobbied members of Congress to strengthen national support for music education policy. Her work contributed to the collective effort to ensure music is recognized as part of a "well-rounded education" under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), helping to protect and expand funding for school music programs nationwide.

Her pioneering presence on these boards predated many of the formal industry initiatives seen today, such as the Women of NAMM (WoN) group, which now works to connect, support, and mentor women in the music products and pro-audio fields. Lipp's early leadership helped pave the way for these essential programs and demonstrated that women could and should hold positions of power and influence.

Reflecting on her career, Lipp remains focused on the people and principles that have guided her. "I've been incredibly lucky to spend my life working in industries and communities that I care so deeply about," said Lipp. "Everything I've done has been driven by relationships, by giving back, and by the belief that music and the arts make lives richer. This recognition reflects the people I've been fortunate to work alongside and the causes we've worked so hard to support."

Susan Lipp will officially receive the NAMM Female Entrepreneur of the Year honor at the She Rocks Awards ceremony on Friday, January 23, 2026. The event will be held at the Hilton Anaheim in conjunction with the Winter NAMM Show. The ceremony will celebrate Lipp alongside a distinguished group of 2026 honorees, each recognized for their profound impact on the world of music.