‘The institution needs a different type of leadership’ New York Philharmonic CEO steps down

The New York Philharmonic has announced the departure of its CEO and president Gary Ginstling who has stepped down after just over a year in the role. Board of directors co-chairmen Peter W May and Oscar L Tang announced in a press release that the board had accepted Ginstling's resignation, effective immediately.

Ginstling took up the role of president and CEO of the New York Philharmonic in July 2023, following an eight-month period as the orchestra’s executive director. She succeeded Deborah Borda, who held the post since 2017. Borda, who is now the New York Philharmonic’s executive advisor will join forces with May and Tang to lead a ‘transition leadership team’ while a new president and CEO is found.

Ginstling said: ‘The New York Philharmonic is an extraordinary institution, and it has been an honor to be a part of it. However, it has become clear to me that the institution needs a different type of leadership, and I have tendered my resignation. I wish incoming Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, the Musicians, the Board, the staff, and everyone associated with this organization all the best for its future.’

Ginstling’s decision to step down coincides with a period of change for the New York Philharmonic. Current music director Jaap van Zweden is set to leave the post this summer after six years in the role, and Gustavo Dudamel is set to join the orchestra at the beginning of the 2026-27 season for a five-year term. As well as currently engaging in negotiations over its musicians’ contracts, which are set to expire later this year, the New York Philharmonic is also in the process of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against two of its players, for which Ginstling has hired an external lawyer, Katya Jestin, a managing partner of the law firm Jenner & Block.