Anne Parsons
The League of American Orchestras has launched the Anne Parsons Leadership Program, League President and CEO Simon Woods announced on January 11. Honoring Anne Parsons, the influential orchestra executive who passed away in 2022, the three-year pilot mentoring program aims to effect structural change by supporting women and non-binary orchestra professionals in their careers, and ultimately improve gender equity in orchestra leadership. The new program was conceived by the League in coordination with four orchestra leaders who will serve as mentors: Jennifer Barlament, executive director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Kim Noltemy, president and CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Additional mentors and faculty members will be announced. Six professionals will be selected to participate in the first year of the free program, June 2023-June 2024. Candidates will self-identify as a woman or non-binary individual and have a minimum of five years fulltime employment by orchestras of any budget size; current employment is not required. Each participant will meet individually with mentors, attend quarterly cohort meetings, and receive training on topics such as women’s leadership and gender inclusivity. Learn more about the Anne Parsons Leadership Program and apply here.
