Martha Gilmer, the San Diego Symphony's President and CEO, has garnered prestigious national recognition, being named the 2026 Impresario of the Year by Musical America, a widely respected classical music publication that's been in the biz longer than anyone reading this has likely been alive.
In what's a rather momentous kudos for Gilmer, this accolade highlights her remarkable influence on the symphony and the cultural vitality of San Diego. She is the second living soul to claim this honor since Michael Kaiser received it in 2007 for his work at the JFK Center, according to Musical America's announcement and a separate report in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Since taking the helm in 2014, Gilmer has been a force of nature, pushing through the currents of change with the selection of Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare and the unveiling of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and let's not gloss over the overhauling of the Jacobs Music Center, a cool $163 million project, as noted in a blog post from the San Diego Symphony's own website.
