Sidney P. Jackson, Jr. Photo by Brenna Falzone.
Sidney P. Jackson, Jr. has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Chicago Sinfonietta. He will succeed Wendy Lewis, who has served as interim CEO since December 2024. Jackson will step into the president and CEO role on June 13, 2025, after he concludes projects at the New Jersey Symphony, where he is vice president of development. At the New Jersey Symphony, Jackson led a multi-million-dollar fundraising initiative that surpassed its target and expanded donor engagement and long-term support; he also created and launched the orchestra’s centennial campaign. Committed to inspiring and building communities through the transformative power of music, Jackson has worked in the non-profit arts sector and others, including human services, children and family, anti-poverty, and justice initiatives to benefit diverse communities. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, he grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to his post at the New Jersey Symphony, Jackson worked in New York City for several non-profit organizations, among them Helpusadopt.org, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Harlem School for the Arts. Chicago Sinfonietta champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through symphonic experiences. Mei-Ann Chen is the orchestra’s music director.
