A report in Tuesday’s (5/3) Hartford Business (Connecticut) states, “Kristen Phillips, president and CEO of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, is quitting after three years to return to insurer Lincoln Financial Group at its Philadelphia headquarters. Phillips’ departure is effective May 31, the end of HSO’s fiscal year. News Tuesday of her departure comes just four months after the hiring of Carolyn Kuan as HSO’s music director. Phillips, 43, will rejoin Lincoln as senior vice president in charge of insurance and retirement solutions marketing and strategy. She joined the HSO as executive director in April of 2008 from Lincoln, where she was a vice president in its Hartford office. Before joining HSO, she was a board member. ‘This has been a challenging and unpredictable three years through which to navigate but thanks to the commitment and dedication of our board, musicians, and staff, the HSO is poised for a bright future,’ said Phillips. HSO Chairman David Roth praised Phillips’ leadership, adding a search will begin immediately for her successor.”

Posted May 4, 2011