Kristen Phillips Will Depart HSO

Kristen Phillips, president and CEO of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, announced Tuesday that she has accepted a position as "senior vice president, head of insurance and retirement solutions marketing and strategy" with Lincoln Financial Group at its Greater Philadelphia headquarters.

Phillips will be leaving the HSO at the end of its fiscal year on May 31. She joined the HSO as executive director in April of 2008 from Lincoln Financial Group, where she held the position of Vice President, Individual Markets in the Hartford office. She succeeded Charles Owens. who left to head the Rochester Philharmonic. Prior to joining the HSO, Phillips was a member of its Board of Directors.

“This has been a challenging and unpredictable three years through which to navigate but thanks to the commitment and dedication of our board, musicians, and staff, the HSO is poised for a bright future,” said Phillips. “Greater Hartford is lucky to have a cultural asset like the Hartford Symphony and I'm optimistic that the community will continue to provide vital support as we welcome new Music Director Carolyn Kuan to the podium this fall.”

“Kristen has led the Hartford Symphony through a very significant period in our 67-year history, which included remarkable gains in ticket sales and donations, establishing excellent rapport between the HSO and the community, and completing the search process and selection of Carolyn Kuan as our new music director,” said David Roth, chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board will continue oversight of HSO’s operations and will immediately begin the search process for a new President and CEO, Roth added.