The Oregon Symphony Board of Directors names Paul Snyder as the Oregon Symphony’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. Snyder was appointed Interim President and CEO in July 2025.
As the strategic and operational leader of the Oregon Symphony, Snyder will oversee the artistic, financial, and administrative aspects of the organisation, working in close collaboration with Jean Vollum Music Director David Danzmayr to support his artistic direction and creative vision for the orchestra. Drawing on his service on the Oregon Symphony Board of Directors, Snyder brings a deep understanding of the Symphony’s culture and long-term direction. He began an organisation-wide strategic planning process in 2025 that engaged board members, musicians, staff, and other stakeholders in shaping a bold and vibrant future for the Symphony.
“Paul impressed the board with his focus in driving the Strategic Plan, translating vision into tangible steps toward building financial resilience, expanding our audience, and strengthening connections with our community,” says Board Chair Courtney Angeli. “He brings a genuine passion for revitalising Portland and a working knowledge of its civic ecosystem. During his interim tenure, he has earned widespread confidence and respect, and we are thrilled to have him as our next President and CEO.”
Snyder moved to Portland in 2019 to serve as the Executive Vice President of Stewardship at the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA). In that role, he developed strong relationships with community leaders at the city, county, and state levels that will serve him well in his new position at the Symphony. Snyder also brings expertise in leading arts organisations through his 20+ years of board service at the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Portland Opera.
“The business side of the arts is changing rapidly, and we must continue to evolve to attract new audiences and contribute to the vitality of the surrounding community,” says Snyder. “I look forward to continued innovation at the Symphony that will ensure its relevancy into the future, while honoring its 129-year history. That is all possible because of the high caliber of our talented and hard-working musicians, the quality and boldness of our programming, and the inspiring alignment between the musicians, staff, and board.”
In Snyder’s previous role, he led TCCA’s Environment & Community Impact, Government Relations & Public Affairs, and Corporate Communications teams, working to develop, manage, and execute the cooperative’s strategies for sustainability, natural resource management, community and social impact, internal engagement, earned media, philanthropy, and policy advocacy. Prior to that, he was Global Vice President – Corporate Responsibility at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), where he led sustainability strategy and execution for the company’s nearly 5,200 hotels worldwide.
A committed community leader, Snyder currently serves on the board of directors for B Local PDX and was recently appointed to the Metro Future Vision Commission. Previously, he served on the boards of Oregon Business & Industry, the Portland Metro Chamber, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, and the American Red Cross of Georgia. Snyder earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Lawrence University and an MBA at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.
