Tatiana “Yan” Snead (US) // Pandora
Biography
Tatiana “Yan” Snead is a music programmer, curator, and creative executive shaping the sound and direction of contemporary R&B and global Black music. With a foundation in marketing and formal classical music training, her work is driven by both discernment and strategy, positioning her at the forefront of modern music curation.
Yan’s career spans independent media, artist development, and DSP-level programming, where she has built ecosystems that amplify emerging voices and shift cultural narratives. As Editor-in-Chief of Brooklyn-based production house Dinner Land Network, she led music programming and editorial strategy, developed original content series, secured Dash Radio XXL placements for independent artists, and conceptualized playlist campaigns that bridged talent discovery with industry visibility. Her curatorial work prior to Pandora includes Audiomack’s verified Hometown Heroes: Jersey playlist.
Yan is also recognized for shaping the creative identity of producer Chase N. Cashe’s lifestyle brand Can’t Buy Respect, developing the “Not For Sale” tagline and signature merchandise featured in Beyoncé’s Black Parade Route (2020), a moment that underscored her instinct for culturally resonant branding. Previously, Yan served as Head of Communications & Digital at the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, where she led communications and creative strategy for the #LessIsMoreNY campaign. Her work translated narrative into action, contributing to legislation that passed and was signed into New York State law in 2021.
Currently, Yan works alongside Akim Bryant programming R&B and leads African and Caribbean programming at Pandora, where she helps define sound, context, and discovery for global audiences. In parallel, she works independently developing innovative artist-centered activations, and assisting artists with developing worlds that endure beyond the moment. Her approach to music is rooted in taste, trust, and the belief that curation is a form of cultural leadership.