Participants Selected for Third League of American Orchestras’ Anne Parsons Leadership Program

New York, NY (April 30, 2026) – Six orchestra professionals will join the third cohort of the League of American Orchestras’ Anne Parsons Leadership Program, the League has announced. Launched in 2023, the program is designed to build greater gender diversity in executive leadership roles and encourage a culture of mentorship and support across the orchestra field. Participants were selected based on their experience, vision, and dedication to advancing gender equity in American orchestra leadership.

“Anne Parsons believed deeply that the strength of our field depended on leadership and organizational culture,” says League President and CEO Simon Woods. “We are proud to continue Anne’s legacy by investing in these six exceptional leaders, helping to support their professional growth and investing in the contribution they will make to the orchestra field in the future.”  

The new cohort will be:

Jennifer Barton, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Strategy Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Evin Blomberg, Musician, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Lindsey Nova, Executive Director, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras

Marianne Rice, Ed.D., Vice President, Music Education and Community Impact, Jacksonville Symphony

Jessica Satava, Executive Director, Greenville Symphony

Gabriela de Souza, Head of Artistic Planning, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra

Program Activities

Participants will meet in person at the League’s National Conference in Baltimore, June 1-3, 2026, and take part in online leadership training and coaching sessions, bimonthly conversations with mentors, and quarterly Leadership Forums. The cohort will also meet virtually as a group throughout the year to learn from each other, share resources, and build community.

About the Anne Parsons Leadership Program

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is designed to build greater gender diversity in leadership roles in the country’s 50 largest-budget orchestras: 70% of larger orchestras currently have men as executive directors. Research shows that as well as creating fair opportunities for all, gender diversity at senior levels in organizations improves decision-making and performance, strengthens organizational culture, and enhances creativity. The program aims to advance a new generation of candidates with the capacity to take on C-suite roles in major orchestras as well as building a culture of mentorship, coaching, and support across the orchestra field. Participation in the program is free of charge.

For the June 2026 to June 2027 program, six participants have been selected based on their demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading, serving, and building greater gender diversity in leadership roles in American orchestras. Eligible candidates had either a minimum of five years of professional experience in the orchestra field or were currently in an executive leadership role in orchestras or comparable music organizations, including music festivals and arts organizations. 

Each participant will receive a travel stipend and free registration to the League’s National Conference in 2026, as well as a gratis, one-year professional membership to the League of American Orchestras.

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is made possible by generous support from Patricia A. Richards, with additional support provided by Colbert Artists Management and current and former orchestra executive directors and arts leaders nationwide. 

About Anne Parsons

Anne Parsons (1957-2022) was a transformational mentor and leader, lost too soon after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Parsons served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for seventeen years. Following her appointment at the DSO in 2004, she instilled a culture of resilience and financial stability and grew the audience and donor base, all while successfully navigating local and national economic downturns and a global pandemic. Under her leadership, the DSO posted nine consecutive operating surpluses from 2013 to 2021. Parsons was also responsible for bringing two new music directors to Detroit—Leonard Slatkin in 2007 and Jader Bignamini in 2020—and returning the orchestra to national and international prominence through touring and webcasts.

Parsons’ vision of transforming the DSO into the “most accessible orchestra on the planet” led to an increased focus on serving audiences through innovative new programs. At the same time, her emphasis on reaching Detroiters and DSO fans across the region offered unique ways to connect with the organization, including chamber music programs, senior engagement concerts, music therapy partnerships, in-school appearances, and full orchestra performances in metro Detroit neighborhoods.

Prior to joining the DSO, Parsons served in management positions for a variety of major arts organizations, including New York City Ballet, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in Massachusetts. Post-graduation, Parsons was among the first class of the League’s Orchestra Management Fellowship Program.

Anne Parsons was named an Emeritus Director of the League of American Orchestras as well as President Emeritus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.