The Columbus Symphony has selected Maureen O'Brien as the new chief executive officer, a position she will assume on July 15, a move confirmed by multiple outlets. O'Brien, previously serving as the executive vice president for institutional advancement at the New World Symphony in Miami, comes to the symphony with an extensive background in arts administration and fundraising. As reported by the WBNS, her responsibilities will span various segments, including artistic planning, marketing, and educational initiatives, among others, as she steers the symphony's ongoing projects and community outreach.
O'Brien's tenure at the New World Symphony saw her leading a $150 million comprehensive campaign, where, alongside overseeing a significant annual fund, her team managed an array of departments ranging from public relations to guest services. This information was detailed by BroadwayWorld. An important task during her upcoming role in Columbus will be the execution of a capital campaign for a monumental construction project: a $275 million, 200,000-square-foot concert hall on the Scioto River, a plan that was highlighted by Columbus Business First.
In a statement shared with WBNS, O'Brien expressed her excitement about her future with the Columbus Symphony, "I am honored to join the Columbus Symphony as its next CEO. The CSO has been a cornerstone of this vibrant community for many years,” she said, noting the importance of inclusivity, "I believe that a symphony belongs to everyone, and I’m excited to work in partnership with our musicians, staff, board, supporters and the people of Columbus to ensure that our music reflects, serves and inspires the broad array of voices of this city." O'Brien's leadership aims to reinforce the connection between the symphony and the community it serves.
O'Brien will continue to advance the symphony's mission, which includes serving over 150,000 people annually through various performances and educational programs as mentioned by WBNS, her objective will not only to encompass the traditional roles expected from a CEO leading such an institution but also to embark on creating a lasting legacy by constructing a new home for the symphony, a challenging but evidently pivotal milestone for the arts scene in Columbus which she is poised to undertake with the experience she carries from her prior endeavors.
