Seven Dynamic Leaders Join League of American Orchestras Board of Directors

Seven Additional Ex-Officio Directors Elected from League Member Orchestras to serve in 2025-26 and Two Former Board Members Elected to Emeritus Board

Rei Hotoda, Blake-Anthony Johnson, Barbara McCelvey, Pamela Mayo, Jessica Phillips, Elizabeth Shribman, and Dr. Regynald G. Washington have joined the League of American Orchestras Board of Directors; each will serve a three-year term. Board officers for 2025-26 are Alan Mason, Chair; Marissa Eisemann, Aaron A. Flagg, and Kjristine Lund, Co-Vice Chairs; William L. Gettys, Secretary, and Chris Doerr, Treasurer.

Ex-Officio Directors for 2025-26 are Martha A. Gilmer, President and CEO, San Diego Symphony Orchestra—San Diego, CA (Group 1 Managers); Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud, President/CEO, Omaha Symphony Orchestra—Omaha, NE (Group 2 Managers); Anwar Nasir, Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra—New Orleans, LA (Group 3/4 Managers); Paul Jarrett, Executive Director, Akron Symphony Orchestra—Akron, OH (Group 5/6); Elizabeth “Libby” Watson, Executive Director, Adrian Symphony Orchestra—Adrian, MI (Group 7/8 Managers); Lindsey Nova, Executive Director, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras—Pittsburgh, PA (Youth Orchestra Division); and Darlene Clark, Volunteer Council President, Houston Symphony League—Houston, TX (Volunteer Council).

Melanie Clarke and Mary Carr Patton were elected to the Emeritus Board.

The only national organization dedicated to the orchestras and their communities, the League of American Orchestras includes nearly 25,000 musicians, conductors, orchestra staff, board members, volunteers, and business partners working with a membership of 2,000 world-renowned orchestras, community groups, summer festivals, student and youth ensembles, conservatories and libraries, businesses serving orchestras, and individuals who love symphonic music.

Background on the New Board Members:

Ex-Officio Board Members:

Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud

Chair, League of American Orchestras Group 2 Managers; President & CEO, Omaha Symphony; Former Executive Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Darlene Clark

Volunteer Council President, League of American Orchestras; Past President, Houston Symphony League and Member, Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction Committee; President-Elect, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Greater Houston; Past President, Friends of Moores School of Music at the University of Houston; Board Member: Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras and Third Space Music.

Martha A. Gilmer

Chair, League of American Orchestras Group 1 Managers; President and CEO, San Diego Symphony Orchestra; Board Member, the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Tourism Authority, The Solti Foundation, and the Mayor’s Civic Revitalization Committee; Former Vice President for Artistic Planning and Audience Development, Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Jarrett

Chair, League of American Orchestras Group 5/6 Managers; Executive Director, Akron Symphony; Member, Leadership Akron Class 31 and Akron Rotary. Formerly: Managing Director, Apollo’s Fire – The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra; Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Cleveland Opera & Opera Cleveland; Advertising Executive, Stern Advertising.

Anwar Nasir

Chair, League of American Orchestras Group 3/4 Managers; Executive Director,  Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Member, Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts Young Alumni Council, the Girard College Alumni Association Bylaws Committee, and Co-Chair, the IDEA Committee for the International Ticketing Association (INTIX); Leadership roles: Tessitura Network, and The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce; Co-Founder, Black Arts Leadership Alliance supporting African Americans in arts management.

Lindsey Nova

Chair, League of American Orchestra Youth Orchestra Division; Executive Director, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras; Member, Pittsburgh Youth Chorus Board of Directors. Formerly: Member of Artistic Advisory Council, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Board Member, Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra; Director of Operations, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera; Convention/Editorial staff for CS Music.

Elizabeth “Libby” Watson

Chair, League of American Orchestras Group 7/8 Managers; Executive Director, Adrian Symphony Orchestra; Adjunct Professor of Arts Management, Adrian College.

Emeritus Board Members:

Melanie Clarke

Formerly: Board Secretary (2022-2025), Board Vice Chair (2017-2022), Board Director (2010-2017), League of American Orchestras; Retired, Executive Director, Princeton Symphony Orchestra; Trustee, Highland Center for the Arts.

Mary Carr Patton

Former Board Director, League of American Orchestras (2010-2025); Board of Directors Secretary, New York Pops; Honorary Board Member, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.