Virginia Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Andrea F. Warren.
The Norfolk-based Virginia Symphony Orchestra has named Andrea F. Warren as president and CEO. She succeeds Karen Philion, who was president and CEO from 2014 through 2022. Warren, the first Black woman to serve as CEO of a professional U.S. orchestra, spent over a decade at the Governor’s School for the Arts, retiring as executive director in 2021. She helped secure and plan for the school’s permanent home and created and expanded programs for students across the state, including a Visual and Performing Arts College Fair and summer camps in visual arts, vocal music, and musical theater. Prior to that, Warren had teaching and leadership roles at Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 20 years. Warren earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational leadership from Virginia Tech. Warren is married to the Rev. Samuel Warren Jr., pastor of Chapel Hill AME Zion Church in Norfolk. Their daughter, Adrienne Warren, won a 2021 Tony Award in the title role of Tina, the Tina Turner Musical. Eric Jacobsen was appointed the Virginia Symphony’s music director in 2021. Read the complete announcement.
