Speakers

Lara Downes

(she/her)

Pianist and NPR Host

Speaking at Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Aaron Dworkin

(he/him)

President and Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization

Speaking at Opening Session

Afa Dworkin

(she/her)

President and Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization

Speaking at Opening Session

Mark Hanson

(he/him)

President and CEO, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Opening Session

Jonathon Heyward

(he/him)

Music Director, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Opening Session

David Hyslop

(he/him)

Owner, Hyslop & Associates

Speaking at Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Alan Mason

(he/him)

Board Chair, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Orchestra Board Member Forum and Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Melissa Ngan

(she/her)

President & CEO, American Composers Orchestra

Speaking at Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Arturo O'Farrill

(he/him)

Founder and Artistic Director, Belongó

Speaking at Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Deborah Rutter

(she/her)

Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke University

Speaking at Opening Session

Curtis Stewart

(he/him)

Artistic Director | Violinist/Composer, American Composers Orchestra

Speaking at Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Jennifer Teisinger

(she/her)

Executive Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Transformational Gifts, From Wishing and Hoping to Receiving and Growing and Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon

Quinn Mason

Composer/Conductor, Masonian Music

Speaking at Opening Session, Gold Baton Award, and Keynote

Barbara Scowcroft

Music Director & Conductor, Utah Youth Orchestras

Speaking at Opening Session, Gold Baton Award, and Keynote

Simon Woods

(he/him)

President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Opening Session, Gold Baton Award, and Keynote and Annual Meeting and Closing Luncheon: Home, Freedom, and Belonging with Kinan Azmeh

Jennifer Barton

(she/her)

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

Speaking at Your Audience Lives on Mobile—Is Your Orchestra Meeting Them There? and Orchestras at the Epicenter—A Plan for Sustainability 

Jennifer Barton is Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Strategy Officer at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She has spent more than a decade in senior advancement, strategy, and revenue leadership roles at the Baltimore and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestras. Her work has included reorganizing revenue teams, preparing organizations for comprehensive campaigns, modernizing fundraising and CRM systems, and rebuilding patron pipelines during periods of transition. Jennifer has led both capacity-building efforts and mature operations, with experience ranging from individual giving and membership programs to board engagement and institutional planning. She is a graduate of the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Fellowship and brings a practical, systems-oriented perspective to questions of organizational resilience and sustainability.

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn and Instagram

Catherine Beeson

(she/they)

Assistant Principal Viola, Colorado Symphony

Speaking at Community Impact Through Mission-Aligned Partnerships

Catherine Beeson is a seasoned performer and arts management professional with a deep interest in culture and communication. Catherine has served as Colorado Symphony assistant principal viola since 1999. Catherine has held administrative roles as executive director of the Longmont Symphony, director of Community Education for the Colorado Symphony, and president and artistic director of the Loon Lake Live chamber series. They have also been a teaching artist and content writer for the New York Philharmonic and Colorado Symphony.  In these roles, she has created stewardship focused programming through adult education, neurodiversity programs, a mentorship exchange program with the Haiti Youth Orchestra, and commissioning of new works.

Catherine enjoys kitchen chemistry, ponticello wizardry, learning new games, unapologetically engaging in tsundoku, and nerding out with their podcast The Pants Quandary. Catherine is a proud and grateful alum of the League's Essentials of Orchestra Management and Anne Parsons Leadership Program.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn and Instagram

Evin Blomberg

(she/her)

Musician, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Orchestras Deepening Relevance, Connection, and Public Value

Evin Blomberg is a violinist, arts advocate, and leader dedicated to shaping the future of classical music and deepening its connection to the communities it serves. She joined the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as a violinist in 2019 and has since taken on additional roles beyond the stage, including Musician Representative on the Board of Directors and Musicians in Schools Coordinator. Before joining the CSO, Evin lived in London, England, where she performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra after winning auditions with both ensembles. She holds degrees from The Colburn School Conservatory of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and has also completed certificate programs through The Wharton School Online in Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School Online in Financial Accounting, and The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati in Board and Equity Leadership.

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn

Marla Bobowick

(she/her)

Principal, Bobowick Consulting, LLC

Speaking at Raising the Bar on Board Engagement

Marla Bobowick is a Washington, D.C.-based governance consultant with more than 30 years of experience partnering with nonprofits of all types and sizes on board structures, practices, and behaviors. Long affiliated with BoardSource, she has served as vice president, consultant, and Research Advisory Council member, contributing to landmark resources including Leading with Intent, The Source, and Governance as Leadership. She also authored Principles of Trusteeship and Assessing Board Performance for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Earlier in her career, Marla was an acquisitions editor at John Wiley & Sons. She holds a B.A. from Amherst College and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and has served as board chair of Maryland Nonprofits and board member of Calvary Women's Services.

Connect with Marla on LinkedIn

Erica Bondarev Rapach

(she/her)

Executive Director, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Making Audience Development Everyone’s Business

Erica Bondarev Rapach is a change-driven, collaborative arts executive, known for her work in personal brand leadership, communications, and social responsibility. She currently serves as executive director of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, where she provides organizational guidance and collaborates closely with the Board of Trustees and Music Director José-Luis Novo to support the Symphony’s artistic vision and long-term sustainability. Erica has held leadership roles with The Washington Ballet, Theater Alliance of D.C., The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She is a graduate of American University’s arts management program, where she served as an adjunct faculty member in arts marketing for more than a decade. She lives in Maryland with her family, is the mother of two bicultural, nonconforming daughters, and is married to a creative builder and fixer who is her biggest supporter.

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn and Instagram

Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud

(she/her)

President & CEO, Omaha Symphony

Speaking at Orchestras Deepening Relevance, Connection, and Public Value

An executive leader with a passion for classical music, symphony orchestras, and educating young people, Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud was appointed the Omaha Symphony’s president and CEO in July 2018, after serving as executive director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer oversees the Omaha Symphony’s administration, artistic and community engagement initiatives, education programs, fundraising, and audience development efforts. In partnership with the Board of Directors, she has led the organization through two strategic planning processes; launched a bold digital initiative that deepens the Omaha Symphony’s reach through dynamic digital content, increased access to educational programs, enhanced live concert experiences, and heightened brand engagement; and initiated FORTE: Amplifying the Strengths of Our Community, a program focused on creating inclusive collaborative experiences with partners throughout the community, reflecting Omaha onstage, and ensuring access for all. Jennifer and her husband, Fouad Daoud, enjoy an active life that includes travel, cooking, golf, and family.

Allison Burr-Livingstone

(she/her)

SVP Chief Advancement and Communications Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Orchestras at the Epicenter—A Plan for Sustainability

Allison Burr-Livingstone oversees all front-line fundraising, external affairs, and communication functions for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). She brings extensive leadership experience in nonprofit advancement, arts administration, and strategic communications. Prior to returning to the BSO, she served as associate vice president of public affairs for Visit Baltimore, where she strengthened organizational messaging, led the city’s $14 million annual hotel tax funding process, navigated legislative funding renewals, and played a key role in establishing a Tourism Improvement District. She also founded the Visit Baltimore Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to workforce development and public education in the tourism sector. Previously, Burr-Livingstone held multiple senior development roles at the BSO, including director of institutional giving and inaugural campaign director for the campaign for the BSO’s Second Century, helping secure significant individual and institutional support. She began her career in London and holds a master’s degree from King’s College London and dual bachelor's degrees in Biology and Music from the University of Richmond.

Connect with Allison on LinkedIn

Julian Chender

(he/him)

Founder and Managing Consultant, 11A Collaborative

Speaking at Leading Culture for Adaptability, Agility, and Innovation

Julian is the founder of 11A Collaborative, a social impact advisory firm that partners with arts and other organizations to reimagine how they operate so they can do more of what matters. He believes in building a healthy society through healthy organizations, and his expertise lies in organization design — translating strategy into impact through effective structure, processes, governance, metrics, and talent practices.

Before launching 11A Collaborative, Julian spent three and a half years apprenticing in organization design in the corporate sector. Prior to that, he served as a public servant under Dr. Anthony Fauci, supporting NIAID's response to Ebola and Zika through enterprise strategy and leadership development.

Julian is a Certified Organization Design Practitioner and an ICF-Certified Coach. He holds a master's degree in Organization Development from American University and a B.A. in History from Swarthmore College. He currently serves on the Organization Design Forum's Board of Advisors and was previously a trustee of the Organization Development Network, which recognized him early in his career with its Emerging Practitioner Award.

Connect with Julian on LinkedIn

Andrew Clark

(he/him)

Vice President, Finance and Administration, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Establishing Your Own AI Policy and Protocols

Andrew Clark has spent his finance career in service of non-profits, providing crucial support to public advocacy organizations focused on financial literacy, urban planning, community engagement, and social work. Believing in the importance of strong financial support to a successful non-profit, Andrew has taken key roles in growing and changing organizations to help in transforming mission and service delivery.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

John Devlin

(he/him)

Music Director, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and Lancaster Festival

Speaking at Making Audience Development Everyone’s Business

Conductor John Gennaro Devlin is an ardent champion of American music, an innovator of concert design, and a thought leader in the field of classical music. Currently in his seventh season as music director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO), John is the ninth conductor in its 90-year history to hold that title. In 2025, Devlin began his tenure as the Music Director of the Lancaster (OH) Festival Orchestra.

For his work with the WSO, John was named a recipient of the 2023 Georg Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award. That same year, John was honored by Wheeling’s mayor, Glenn F. Elliott, with the Mayor’s Award for “distinguished service, loyalty, and dedication to our city.”

Connect with John on LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel Rossos Gallant

(she/her)

Vice President, Marketing and Membership, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Establishing Your Own AI Policy and Protocols

Rachel has also held development and marketing roles with The New York Pops and the New Century Chamber Orchestra and participated in the League's Executive Leadership Program. She is a graduate of Columbia University and an adjunct faculty member at Eastman School of Music. An active singer, songwriter, producer, and poet, she often collaborates with her husband, pianist Michael Gallant, and performs in the indie rock band Aurical.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Sarah Generes

(she/her)

Vice President, Development, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Transformational Gifts, From Wishing and Hoping to Receiving and Growing

Sarah Generes is a lifelong musician and a passionate advocate for the performing arts. She currently serves as vice president of development at the League of American Orchestras, bringing her experience in fundraising, programming and producing to support the League’s and its member orchestras’ fundraising efforts. Prior to joining the League, Sarah served as director of development at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University where she increased fundraising by nearly 300% during her tenure.  She has served in various artistic and operations roles at Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Ravinia Festival, and she spent more than 15 years working with orchestras around the world as the business manager for Sir Andrew Davis. 

Sarah is an alumna of Vanderbilt University where she received degrees in English and Music.  She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Fundraising from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Dale Hedding

(he/him)

Vice President of Development, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association

Speaking at Transformational Gifts, From Wishing and Hoping to Receiving and Growing

Dale Hedding serves as vice president of development at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA), where he leads the orchestra's comprehensive fundraising program, including the Sempre Always endowment campaign, which has surpassed $224 million. He brings more than 30 years of fundraising and leadership experience at performing arts and education institutions nationwide and serves as co-captain for CCS Fundraising's Chicago Arts and Culture Consortium.

Prior to the CSOA, Dale held leadership roles at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. He also co-led the contributed revenue practice of the Arts Consulting Group, providing interim management, executive search, and campaign planning services.

Dale holds a Bachelor of Music in trombone performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music and an MBA in Arts Administration from Binghamton University-SUNY. He began his career as Principal Trombone in the U.S. Air Force Band of New England.

Connect with Dale on LinkedIn

Catherine Heitz New

(she/her)

CEO, RSC Associates

Speaking at Build Your Fundraising Year to Drive Cash Flow and Donor Growth

Throughout  Catherine Heitz New's 20-year career in arts fundraising, she has earned a reputation for her unwavering commitment to results and clarity of vision, helping organizations achieve significant fundraising growth.

Her focus extends beyond financial outcomes, recognizing that the vitality of the arts lies in investing in the individuals propelling them forward. Catherine's approach centers on enhancing team capabilities, ensuring that staff, board members, and artists are well-versed in best practices and fully engaged in achieving fundraising success. Across diverse budget and market sizes, Catherine has guided numerous organizations to capitalize on their teams' unique strengths, yielding immediate results and fostering long-term sustainability.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a fundraising practitioner, coach, and volunteer, Catherine adeptly assesses clients' risks and opportunities. Her solutions are not only effective but also mindful of resources, reflecting a strategic and conscientious approach to achieving success.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn

Sarah Hoover

(she/her)

Associate Dean for Innovation in the Arts and Health, The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Speaking at Orchestras in Health and Well-Being, From Intention to Practice

Sarah Hoover is associate dean for Innovation in the Arts and Health at the Peabody Institute, leading initiatives that link the performing arts and health within Peabody, Johns Hopkins University, and Baltimore. Committed to advancing health in and through music-making, her work supports music programs throughout Johns Hopkins Health System, creative aging programs in regional retirement communities, and injury prevention and performance health initiatives at Peabody.

Alongside her book, Music as Care: Artistry in the Hospital Environment, these clinical and community programs have created novel educational and experiential career pathways for musicians in Arts in Health. As an advocate for artist workforce development, Sarah serves as chair of the Artist Workforce Development Committee and board member of the National Organization for Arts in Health.

Prior to her appointment at Peabody, Sarah was a performer, teacher of singing, music journalist, and festival director. She holds a B.A. from Yale College and a D.M.A. from the Peabody Institute.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Nicki Inman

(she/her)

Project Consultant, RSC Associates

Speaking at “The Art of the Ask” in Today’s Donor Landscape

Nicki Inman joined RSC in 2000 after more than 20 years in nonprofit fundraising and revenue strategy, with senior leadership roles at organizations of varying sizes across the country. At RSC, she partners with arts and cultural organizations to provide campaign counsel and coaching, direct mail strategy, and data analytics that drive sustainable fundraising growth. Nicki emphasizes fundamentals, innovation, and analysis to solidify best practices for consistent, reliable results and growth. Her leadership roles include orchestras in Detroit, Memphis, Roanoke, and Syracuse, where she oversaw increases in individual giving, subscription sales, and patron retention.

Connect with Nicki on LinkedIn

John Kieser

(he/him)

Co-Founder, JDJK Consulting

Speaking at Your Audience Lives on Mobile—Is Your Orchestra Meeting Them There? 

John Kieser is co-founder of JDJK Consulting with partner Jennifer Dautermann, providing strategic planning, project design, media production, conference facilitation, negotiations, grant writing, and mentoring. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Honens International Piano Competition, where he led a growth and differentiation strategy.

Previously, John was director of partnerships at IDAGIO and media consultant to the New World Symphony, following his tenure there as executive vice president and provost (2015–2021). His work focused on musician advancement, audience experience, research, and digital media, including the development of live and online concert formats to reach new audiences.

Earlier, he served as general manager of the San Francisco Symphony, overseeing strategic planning, touring, labor negotiations, and media initiatives. He founded the Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning SFS Media and led the creation of SoundBox, an experimental venue for testing new concert formats.

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Juan Felipe Molano

(he/him)

Music Director, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Orchestras Deepening Relevance, Connection, and Public Value

Juan Felipe Molano has led a vibrant teaching and performing career conducting top professional and youth orchestras across Europe, Asia, South America, and the US, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, and Monterey Symphony, among others.

He currently serves as music director of the Seattle Youth Symphony and Marrowstone Music Festival and on the Artistic Council for the Morelia International Music Festival. His previous music director roles include Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and the Yucatan Symphony. Since 2024, Molano has served as a board member of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras.

A graduate with special honors in orchestral and opera conducting from the Vienna Conservatory, Molano is a sought-after speaker at international conferences, including a TEDx talk in 2018. He is deeply committed to education and to inspiring orchestras and enriching audiences from the podium.

Connect with Juan Felipe on LinkedIn and Instagram

Jotaro Nakano

(he/him)

Music Director, Longwood Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Orchestras in Health and Well-Being, From Intention to Practice

Japanese American Conductor Jotaro Nakano currently serves as the music director of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra and the SA’Oaxaca Strings International Music Festival Orchestra. As an impassioned citizen artist, Jotaro is always seeking to connect and inspire diverse communities with the deeply moving and uplifting powers of art and music. As such, while completing his doctorate at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Jotaro served as the Peabody Arts in Health Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Today, Jotaro continues to explore the many beautiful intersections between arts and healing as the leader of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra of Boston’s healthcare community. Throughout his vibrantly multicultural musical life, Jotaro has shared the stage with musicians across Mexico, the Czech Republic, Romania, and all across the United States. With every new project, Jotaro’s commitment is to maximize artistic collaboration to fill this world with wonder and hope.

Connect with Jotaro on Instagram

Anwar Nasir

(he/him)

Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Speaking at Making Audience Development Everyone’s Business

Anwar Nasir is the executive director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. He brings nearly 20 years of arts administration experience from management positions at the Omaha Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl, Atlanta Ballet, and Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation.

A former professional dancer, Nasir is a champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University.

Connect with Anwar on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X/Twitter

Ben Newman

(he/him)

Executive Director, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra

Speaking at Making Audience Development Everyone’s Business

Raised in a musical family with strong ties to Detroit’s Armenian, Deaf, and Jewish communities, Ben Newman is executive director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) and New York City’s Catapult Opera. Ben has served as general manager for Davóne Tines, Musical America's 2022 Vocalist of the Year. In that role, he produced "Strange Fruit" for Carnegie Hall's Voices of Hope Festival, as well as “VIGIL Screening and Conversation” and “OpenProcess,” an immersive spatial audio performance, both at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He was also executive producer for “Song of The Ambassadors”, a neuroscience-based sound healing opera which debuted at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in October 2022 and received an excerpt presentation in April 2023 at TED 2023: Possibility. Ben earned a Masters in Creative Leadership from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design as part of the program’s inaugural class led by the late great Diane Ragsdale.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn and Instagram

Julie Nolan

(she/her)

Director of Community Engagement, Institutional Giving, and Associate Director of the Academy | Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Academy

Speaking at Orchestras in Health and Well-Being, From Intention to Practice

Julie has been a leader at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and its Academy since 2018, serving as director of community engagement, institutional giving and the Academy’s associate director. Her work focuses on removing barriers and ensuring the ASO’s impact is inclusive and transformative. Dedicated to expanding access to classical music and music education, Julie strengthens ASO’s visibility, builds partnerships, and secures critical funding. She broadens the ASO’s reach by bringing music into healthcare and social service settings, improving lives through music wellness programs. Through this work and with the ASO Academy, Julie extends the ASO’s influence beyond the concert hall, ensuring the Symphony is accessible and making a meaningful impact on people of all ages. Previously, Julie served as an intelligence staff officer at the Pentagon, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Atlantic Command, and NATO, bringing a strong foundation of leadership, strategy, and public service to her work.

Heather Noonan

(she/her)

Vice President, Advocacy, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Advocacy and the Art of Creative Partnerships

Heather Noonan is the Vice President for Advocacy for the League of American Orchestras. From the League’s Washington, D.C. office, Heather represents orchestras in the arenas of government funding, education reform, international cultural activity, and nonprofit and philanthropic policies, and leads the League’s efforts to increase orchestras’ local advocacy capacity. Heather is a co-convenor of the Cultural Advocacy Group of national arts, humanities, and cultural stakeholders that collaborate year-round to advance federal policy priorities, is on the national policy advisory committee for the National Council of Nonprofits, and represents music interests on immigration, aviation, and in international treaty negotiations on protected species issues related to international performing artist mobility.

Bethany Nothstein

(she/her)

Events and Sector Strategy Lead, Spektrix

Speaking at The Power of the Customer-Centric Approach, From First Click to Advocate

As events and sector strategy lead at Spektrix, Bethany Nothstein brings her passion for performing arts and culture to work every day, empowering clients and partners across more than 800 organizations in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland through knowledge sharing and collaborative networking. Based in New York City, her background includes more than 15 years of experience in audience services, marketing, fundraising, and advertising from previous roles at Roundabout Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons, and RPM.

Connect with Bethany on LinkedIn

Jessica Phillips

(she/her)

Musician, Met Opera; Educator, Juilliard; Consultant, 11A Collaborative; and Board Member, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Leading Culture for Adaptability, Agility and Innovation

Jessica Phillips is an arts leader, educator, and consultant focused on organizational change, leadership development, and building resilient, innovative, and equitable music ecosystems. A clarinetist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2001, she also serves on the Graduate Studies faculty at The Juilliard School, specializing in career readiness skills.

Her teaching and advisory work spans the Global Leaders Institute, Concert Artist Guild's Community Impact Project Incubator, New World Symphony's BLUE Project, OPERA America, and the League of American Orchestras. Jessica regularly consults with arts organizations on strategy, governance, labor relations, and culture change, and is a sought-after speaker who presents nationally on leadership, collective bargaining, design thinking, and radical collaboration.

She has served on the boards of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians and the International Conference of Symphonic and Opera Musicians. She was recently elected to the board of the League of American Orchestras and continues to serve on the board of The Field.

Jessica holds an MBA from the Global Leaders Institute and executive certificates in Leadership for Social Impact and Negotiations & Difficult Conversations from Harvard, Labor Relations from Cornell, and Nonprofit Arts Management from NYU.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn and Instagram

Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev

(she/her)

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Speaking at Orchestras at the Epicenter—A Plan for Sustainability

Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev is currently in her fourth season as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Previously, she served as executive director of both the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Her experience also includes roles with the Chicago Symphony, Houston Symphony, and the Grant Park Music Festival, among others.

In 2013, she completed the League of American Orchestras' Orchestra Management Fellowship program at the Aspen Music Festival, San Francisco Symphony, and the North Carolina Symphony.

Born in Poland and raised in Turkey, Agnieszka is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She comes from a musical family and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Houston and a second Masters in Orchestral Studies from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Agnieszka is deeply committed to the transformative power of music and to advancing the orchestral field through visionary, mission-driven leadership.

Connect with Agnieszka on LinkedIn

Laura Reynolds

(she/her)

Vice President of Impact and Innovation, San Diego Symphony

Speaking at Orchestras Deepening Relevance, Connection, and Public Value

Laura Reynolds is a strategic leader focused on building community through music, making, and learning. For over 15 years, she has helped arts organizations broaden their impact and create compelling live, digital, and immersive experiences that spark wonder and deliver measurable business goals. As vice president of impact and innovation at the San Diego Symphony, she is deepening the institution’s work across the bi-national region with a focus on community engagement, placemaking, and learning. Previously, Laura served as executive director of the Boise Philharmonic and vice president of education and community engagement at the Seattle Symphony. In addition to her role in San Diego, Laura is part of the faculty leadership for the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management program and serves on the board for the chamber ensemble WindSync.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

Richard Scerbo

(he/him)

Director, National Orchestral Institute and Festival

Speaking at Community Impact Through Mission-Aligned Partnerships

With a career spanning conducting, teaching, and arts leadership, Richard Scerbo has been a thought leader in orchestral training for nearly two decades. At the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, he serves as co-director of artistic programming and director of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F).

Under his leadership, NOI+F has experienced transformational artistic growth in orchestral performance, professional development, and community engagement. He created partnerships with the Pacific Music Institute, the Smithsonian, and Naxos Records, and led the appointment of Marin Alsop as the festival's first music director. NOI+F's recording partnership with Naxos earned a Grammy nomination for Best Orchestral Performance, and Musical America recognized Scerbo as an Innovator and Professional of the Year.

He also serves as music director of the Columbia Orchestra, artistic director of Inscape Chamber Orchestra, and artistic director of Jackson Hole Chamber Music.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn and Instagram

Jessica Schmidt

(she/her)

Principal Consultant, Orchestrate Inclusion

Speaking at Tools for Challenging Conversations

Jessica Schmidt is passionate about supporting performing arts organizations in becoming more equitable and inclusive places for all stakeholders, building capacity to recognize and utilize power to reimagine the way arts organizations exist.

From 2012 to 2017, she served as director of education and community engagement at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Beginning in 2016, she has offered consulting services via Orchestrate Inclusion, partnering with more than 35 orchestras, higher education institutions, and other performing arts organizations on strategies toward greater inclusion and belonging.

Prior to Boston, Jessica worked at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She holds an M.A. in Arts Administration and an MBA from Southern Methodist University, and studied horn performance and political science at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She is a trained mediator and an ICF Associate Certified Coach.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel Schultz

(she/her)

Chief Operating Officer, Hawai'i Youth Symphony

Speaking at Community Impact Through Mission-Aligned Partnerships

Rachel Schultz brings more than a decade of leadership in music education and community engagement to Hawai'i Youth Symphony (HYS), where she joined in July 2024 as chief operating officer. In this role, she oversees operations, human resources, and financial management, supporting HYS's mission through strong internal systems and external partnerships.

Rachel's career spans nonprofit arts and the for-profit sector. A founding member of the Toledo Symphony School of Music, she went on to serve as vice president of education and community engagement for the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), leading collaborative initiatives across music, dance, early childhood education, libraries, parks, and the juvenile court system. She also played a key role in the merger that formed TAPA.

A 2018 League of American Orchestras Emerging Leader, Rachel holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and extensive Suzuki training.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Robert Tarleton

(he/him)

Chief Innovation Officer, Double Eagle Consulting

Speaking at The Reality of a Cyber Incident and Why Cyber Insurance Isn’t Enough

Rob Tarleton serves as chief innovation officer at Double Eagle Consulting, where he leads the firm’s innovation strategy across AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives for large not-for-profit and cultural organizations. With deep expertise in enterprise architecture, risk management, and emerging technologies, Rob helps executive teams translate complex technical challenges into practical, mission-aligned solutions.

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn

Jen Taylor

(she/her)

Director AI Strategy & Integration, Capacity

Speaking at Permission to Wonder in the Age of AI for Orchestra Marketing

Jen Taylor is a marketing leader with 15+ years of experience growing audiences across the arts, entertainment, and media. She began in nonprofit and commercial theater before leading digital growth at A+E Networks, where she helped build a $50M+ streaming business.

Now at Capacity, Jen leads AI Strategy and Integration, helping arts organizations adopt AI in practical, human-centered ways. A marketer—not a technologist—she sees AI as a creative collaborator that can make marketing smarter, faster, and more impactful. She’s an active member of the AI Marketing Institute and AI Marketers Guild, and is passionate about making AI accessible, ethical, and useful for the arts.

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Justine Townsend

(she/her)

Arts & Culture Specialization Leader, Your Part-time Controller

Speaking at A Guide to Spotting Financial Risks in Orchestras

Justine Townsend leads YPTC’s Arts and Culture Specialization and brings more than 18 years of nonprofit financial leadership and auditing experience to her work with cultural organizations nationwide. She also serves as an adjunct professor of Financial Management for the Arts in the University of Houston’s Master of Arts Leadership program, where she has taught for nine years. A dedicated advocate for sustainable arts ecosystems, Justine is known for translating complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance that empowers orchestras and other cultural institutions to thrive. Driven by her personal mission of “saving all the arts, everywhere, forever,” Justine brings both technical mastery and intense passion to her work, offering an informed, collaborative, and inspiring perspective to the field.

Connect with Justine on LinkedIn

Alexa Valentine

(she/her)

Director of Business Development North America, easy-connect

Speaking at Your Audience Lives on Mobile—Is Your Orchestra Meeting Them There?

Alexa Valentine is director of business development at easy-connect, where she leads North American growth across arts and culture organizations. She works with performing arts institutions, multi-venue campuses, and citywide initiatives to develop digital strategies that increase engagement, support revenue goals, and improve the overall patron experience.

Alexa has partnered with orchestras, opera companies, and major cultural institutions to launch mobile apps, personalization strategies, and integrated ticketing solutions that help audiences discover and engage across venues. Her work focuses on scalable growth, cross-organization collaboration, and solutions that fit the real operational needs of cultural institutions.

She holds an MFA in Dance and New Media from NYU Tisch and brings both creative and strategic experience to her work, with a strong belief that technology should make it easier for people to connect with the arts.

Connect with Alexa on LinkedIn

Kelly Whelan Waltrip

(she/her)

Managing Director, The Gilmore

Speaking at Community Impact Through Mission-Aligned Partnerships

Kelly Whelan Waltrip was recently appointed managing director of the Gilmore Piano Festival. She previously served as executive director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO) for 12 years, guiding the organization to new levels of growth and national recognition through collaborations, commissioning and recording initiatives, and community Pathways programs. In 2018, she played a key role in creating an alliance between DYAO and the Colorado Symphony Association, where she also served as managing director.

Kelly's career has always been rooted in building bridges between communities and the arts, and she has worked with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, and Kentucky to further that goal. She currently serves as secretary of the Youth Orchestra Division Board of the League of American Orchestras. Kelly studied music at Western Michigan University and later pursued professional certificates in Arts Management and Strategic Execution for Public Leadership.

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Randy Wong

(he/him)

President and CEO, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony

Speaking at Advocacy and the Art of Creative Partnerships and Community Impact Through Mission-Aligned Partnerships

Randy Wong is president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony (HYS), where he leads the organization in advancing its vision of "A Hawaiʻi where Music Is A Right." An HYS alumnus, he joined in 2012 and has since guided growth in statewide reach, program development, and equitable access—serving youth across six islands through musical training, community partnerships, and workforce development initiatives including the Pacific Music Institute and the Orchestral Learning Alliance Teaching Fellows. He also serves as vice chair of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras.

An active professional musician, Wong performs as a bassist with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, leads the acclaimed ensemble WAITIKI 7, and performs with the free-jazz trio Red Nova.

His work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring music remains a meaningful public good for Hawaiʻi's communities and future generations.

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Karen Yair

(she/her)

Vice President, Research and Resources, League of American Orchestras

Speaking at Orchestras Deepening Relevance, Connection, and Public Value

Before joining the League of American Orchestras, Karen led strategic research initiatives at Youth Music (UK), the UK Crafts Council, NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, and Music for Youth. Working across this diverse range of organizations strengthened her conviction that data-driven insight can catalyze meaningful change, while deepening her belief in the transformative power of creativity and the arts.

Since 2015, Karen has served as Vice President, Research and Resources at the League, where she develops research, data, and practical tools that support orchestras nationwide and inform the League’s advocacy, thought leadership, and media work. She initiated and now co-authors the Catalyst Guide series and has directed major research initiatives on topics ranging from financial and audience trends to diversity of representation in the orchestra field.

Karen also proudly serves as constituent liaison to the League’s Executive Directors, Group 5–6 Orchestras.

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Molly Yoon

(she/her)

Arts & Culture Specialist - Performing Arts Lead, Your Part-Time Controller

Speaking at A Guide to Spotting Financial Risks in Orchestras

Molly Yoon brings a unique blend of artistic background and financial leadership to her work with performing arts organizations. As a former Guzheng student and performer, she has spent over 15 years in financial management across both public accounting and industry. She currently serves as the Performing Arts Lead at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), where she advises and supports nonprofit arts organizations on financial strategy and organizational sustainability. Molly is passionate about staying connected to the arts and empowering creative organizations to build strong financial foundations so they can focus on their mission and impact.

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