New Leadership Appointments Announced as Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Begins its 2025–26 Season

New Leadership Appointments Announced as Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Begins its 2025–26 Season 

CINCINNATI, OH (September 4, 2025)—The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has announced a slate of new leadership as it heads into the 2025–26 season, Cristian Macelaru’s inaugural season as CSO Music Director. The CSO has appointed Charla Weiss as the Orchestra’s new Board Chair and four new members to its Board of Directors. Following two comprehensive national searches, the CSO has also appointed Gregory Lee, who was most recently Chief Financial Officer for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, to be its new Chief Financial Officer and Hannah Ross, who was most recently Assistant Director for Community Engagement at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, as the Orchestra’s new Director of Learning.

“As we enter the 2025–26 season, I am pleased to welcome Charla Weiss as our new Board Chair. After a distinguished career at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, where she championed health equity and community partnerships, Charla brings a deep and genuine passion for access and inclusion—values that align with our belief that music should be for everyone. With her leadership, we remain committed to ensuring that the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a place where all feel welcomed and inspired,” said CSO President and CEO Robert McGrath.

McGrath continued, “We are also proud to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors whose expertise and perspectives will be vital as we continue to strengthen our institution and impact. In addition, the appointments of Gregory Lee as Chief Financial Officer and Hannah Ross as Director of Learning bring key expertise to our administrative team. Together, these individuals reflect a strong bench of leadership and a shared commitment to advancing the Orchestra’s mission. Their contributions will be essential as we enter a new era of music with Cristian Macelaru as our Music Director.”

Four new CSO Board of Directors began three-year terms on September 1, 2025: Nick Apanius, Senior Vice President of Messer Construction Co.; Emma Compton, In-House Counsel for the Cincinnati Bengals; Dean A. Moulas, Managing Director and Principal of Johnson Investment Counsel; and Brett Stover, Senior Vice President of Kantar Consulting.

“It is an honor to serve as Board Chair at such a dynamic moment in the life of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. I am deeply grateful to Dianne Rosenberg for her exceptional leadership and steady guidance, shaping the path that has brought us to this exciting new chapter. I have been inspired by the dedication of my fellow Board members over the years, and I am especially excited to welcome four exceptional new colleagues—Nick Apanius, Emma Compton, Dean Moulas and Brett Stover—whose perspectives will be invaluable as we deepen our commitment to artistic excellence, education and service to the broader community,” said CSO Board Chair Charla Weiss. “This is a pivotal moment for the institution, as we welcome both Robert McGrath as our new President and CEO and Cristian Macelaru as our new Music Director. I look forward to partnering with them and our remarkable staff and musicians to support the Orchestra’s continued growth and impact.”

Cristian Macelaru makes his official debut as the 14th Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on October 3 and 4, conducting a program of works by Anna Clyne, George Gershwin, and Richard Strauss. Pianist Hélène Grimaud joins Macelaru and the Orchestra for Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.

CHARLA WEISS 

 

Charla Weiss brings over 25 years of leadership in community development, organizational strategy and equity to her new role as Board Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. With experience delivering inclusion-based initiatives across the United States and the Asia-Pacific region, Charla offers a global perspective and a deep understanding of the cultural nuances that shape communities.

 

Throughout her career, Charla has served as Executive Director for several human services organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including a federally funded agency that supports homeless children and families. She has also worked as a consultant both domestically and internationally and has taught at public universities and medical colleges. At the heart of her work is a steadfast belief in the importance of access to education, employment and healthcare—and the most effective programs are those that adopt a holistic, culturally responsive approach.

 

Most recently, Charla retired from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she championed health equity and disparities initiatives aligned with the hospital’s mission. Known for her strategic insight, collaborative leadership and ability to build capacity across organizations, she helped create systems-level change that delivered measurable results. Her expertise includes cultural agility, competency development and ensuring accountability at every level.

 

Charla holds a Ph.D. in psychology and education from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a master’s degree in administration from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and music from Olivet College. A lifelong music lover, she brings both professional acumen and personal passion to her leadership in the arts community.

 

GREGORY LEE 

 

Gregory Lee brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, where he led institution-wide financial strategy and operations. Previously, he spent nearly two decades with the Arizona Cardinals Football Club, where he played a key role in launching new business initiatives, navigating complex negotiations and guiding the organization through significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier in his career, Gregory served as a Senior Manager at Deloitte, leading audit and advisory engagements for a diverse portfolio of nonprofit and governmental clients, such as the Arizona State University Foundation, the City of Phoenix and United Blood Services.

 

A graduate of Indiana University, Gregory is recognized for aligning financial strategy with long- term organizational goals. He has been honored as Compete Sports Diversity’s Person of the Year and named an LGBTQ Community Ally and Game Changer by the NGFFL, reflecting his commitment to equity, inclusion and community engagement.

 

In his new role, Gregory will oversee financial operations for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Music and Event Management, Inc., EVT Management, LLC, the May Festival and 12 nonprofit arts organizations.

 

HANNAH ROSS 

 

Hannah Ross comes to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School where she has been the Assistant Director for Community Engagement. In that role, Hannah’s work included directing the Community Engagement department, supervising the staff and operations for Victoria’s Dream Project (a free after-school strings program at two elementary sites in Pawtucket, RI), and overseeing the production of Link Up (a music literacy curriculum and participatory concert series designed by Carnegie Hall for 3rd-5th graders).

 

Hannah also has extensive performance experience as a classically trained violist. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in viola performance from The Juilliard School, where she also developed and co-directed a performing arts initiative to Arusha, Tanzania for five summers. Hannah is a current member of Cohort 6 of Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, & Diversity), a current member of Cohort 3 of the RI Black Business Association’s Emerging Leaders Development Program and a proud graduate of the RI Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative.

 

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 

 

With a legacy dating back 130 years, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is considered one of America’s finest and most versatile ensembles. In the 2025–26 season, Cristian Macelaru joins the Orchestra as its 14th Music Director. The Orchestra also performs as the Cincinnati Pops, founded by Erich Kunzel in 1977 and currently led by John Morris Russell with Damon Gupton serving as Principal Guest Conductor. The CSO further elevates the city’s vibrant arts scene by serving as the official orchestra for the Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet.

 

The CSO is committed to its vision to be the most relevant orchestra in America, realized through a focus on serving the entire community and continually innovating ways in which the Orchestra presents music. Examples include One City/One Symphony, fostering city-wide discussions through music; Lumenocity®, blending music and visual art that illuminated Music Hall’s façade; Look Around, uniting Cincinnati’s arts community at Washington Park; CSO Proof, the Orchestra’s flagship program for innovative concert experiences and formats; and the CSO’s Brady Block Parties, a series of free outdoor events, anchored by a full orchestra concert and held in neighborhoods across Greater Cincinnati each summer. The CSO is also dedicated inspiring lifelong learning and expanding access to music education in the region through youth orchestras, Musicians in Schools and one of the United States’ longest-running Young People’s Concerts series, launched over 100 years ago. cincinnatisymphony.org

 

CSO Contact: Felecia Tchen Kanney | fkanney@cincinnatisymphony.org 

  

National Media Contact: Andrew Ousley | andrew@unison.media 

 

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