Anwar Nasir Named Festival President and CEO
The Grant Park Music Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Anwar Nasir as its new President and CEO, effective late summer/early fall of 2026. With a distinguished career in arts leadership, organizational management, and community engagement, Nasir will lead the Festival into its next era as it approaches its centennial season in 2035.
Nasir joins the Grant Park Music Festival from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) in New Orleans, where he served as Executive Director since 2021. During his tenure, he successfully oversaw the organization’s strategic vision, financial sustainability initiatives, and fundraising and advancement efforts. Under Nasir’s leadership, the LPO expanded audiences to near decade highs, created innovative collaborations with leading Louisiana artists, and celebrated its first GRAMMY Award, further elevating the orchestra’s national profile and impact across the region.
“The Board of Directors is excited to introduce Anwar Nasir as the Grant Park Music Festival’s new President and CEO,” said Thomas Orlando, Chair of the Board of Directors. “He brings collaborative leadership, dynamic energy, strong strategic and management experience, and a demonstrated ability to build meaningful partnerships across communities. Anwar is uniquely well-positioned to lead us into our next chapter.”
An extensive national search was led by Board Chair Thomas Orlando, in collaboration with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The Festival’s Search Committee included board members, senior staff, community leaders, and musicians of the orchestra and chorus.
In his new role, Nasir will build on the Festival’s longstanding commitment to artistic innovation, accessibility, and civic engagement. He will lead the organization’s strategic vision and execution, while deepening the Festival’s visibility across Chicago. Nasir will assume leadership at a pivotal moment as the Festival expands its audience development, community engagement, and long-term sustainability efforts in its centennial decade. Nasir will work closely with staff, board, artistic leadership, musicians, and community partners to ensure that the Festival continues to shine as a unique urban classical festival of the highest caliber.
Prior to his tenure as the LPO’s Executive Director, Nasir served as Chief Revenue and Advancement Officer for the Omaha Symphony and worked in management roles with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl, and the Atlanta Ballet.
Nasir has also served the broader performing arts field in leadership roles with the International Ticketing Association (INTIX), Tessitura Network, and Syracuse University. He is the co-founder of the Black Arts Leadership Alliance, an initiative supporting pathways and career development for Black arts administrators. He also serves on the board of directors of the League of American Orchestras, the national organization dedicated to orchestras and their communities.
“The Grant Park Music Festival’s combination of artistic excellence, public service, and community impact made it feel like the right next chapter,” shared Nasir. “I am honored to join the Festival as its new President and CEO, and I look forward to working alongside the Festival’s dedicated staff, board, artistic leadership, and extraordinary musicians to build on its remarkable legacy. Chicago is one of America’s great cultural cities, with a rich orchestral and musical tradition that has influenced generations of artists and audiences."
“I am thrilled to welcome Anwar Nasir to the Grant Park Music Festival family,” said Giancarlo Guerrero, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. “He is a visionary leader whose passion for the arts and commitment to community engagement have made a lasting impact across our cultural landscape. I look forward to working closely with him to lead our organization into an exciting new chapter.”
Veteran Festival CFO Hannah Lehman, who has served as interim President & CEO since Paul Winberg’s retirement on April 30, will continue in that role until Nasir’s arrival to support a seamless leadership transition.