Bienen School alumna Martha Gilmer ’78, president and CEO of the San Diego Symphony, was named 2026 Impresario of the Year by Musical America. The award celebrates Gilmer’s leadership, creativity, and more than 45 years of shaping American orchestral life.
Gilmer holds degrees in arts administration and piano performance from Northwestern. She is a recipient of Northwestern Alumni Association's Alumni Merit Award and is a current member of Bienen's Music Advisory Board.
Since 2014, she has served as President and CEO of the San Diego Symphony, where her strategic vision, lifelong pursuit of artistic excellence, and deep commitment to community have ushered in a transformative era for the organization.
"Never one to rest on her laurels, she has transformed SDSO into a centerpiece of the city’s cultural life," reads the article from Musical America.
Prior to joining the San Diego Symphony, Gilmer spent 35 years with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, ultimately serving as Vice President for Artistic Planning and Audience Development.