Santa Rosa Symphony's President and CEO Alan Silow honored with Excellence in Leadership Award

July 13, 2021

Santa Rosa Symphony President and CEO Alan Silow received the Excellence in Leadership Award at the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership's June 24, 2021, virtual Heart of Sonoma County™ Award ceremony. Silow earned the award for his achievements during his nearly 20-year tenure with the Symphony.

These achievements include:

  • Helping to rejuvenate a capital fundraising campaign that raised $145 million to build Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center
  • Diversifying programming with addition of Pops and Family Concert Series
  • Increasing the organization’s endowment from $1.5 million to $16.5 million
  • Expanding annual educational outreach to 30,000, enabling inclusion for underserved students and providing greater access to in-school music programs
  • Overseeing the Youth Orchestra’s international concert tours, established during his tenure
  • Launching an innovative virtual concert series during the pandemic
  • Tripling the budget over time while remaining in the black every year

"I am deeply honored for this recognition that reflects the enormous contributions by the Santa Rosa Symphony to the Sonoma County community over these many years," said Silow.

SRS Board Chairman Corinne Byrd said, “We are grateful that our President & CEO Alan Silow was selected for this well-deserved honor. As the executive leader of the largest performing arts organization in our region, he has been a community hero time and time again, inspiring our stakeholders to work together in the service of something far greater than themselves. Alan’s vision and extraordinary efforts have made a positive difference in this community for two decades. The Santa Rosa Symphony’s innovative educational programs reaching 30,000 children and youth annually are only one example of his immense influence. We are truly fortunate to have Alan at the helm!”

Silow and his fellow recipients, chosen from 126 nominees in eight award categories, were presented with certificates of recognition from Senator Bill Dodd, Senator Mike McGuire, Congressman Jared Huffman, Congressman Mike Thompson, Assemblymember Marc Levine, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar Curry, Assemblymember Jim Wood and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The Excellence in Leadership Award, sponsored and presented by Medtronic, included a check for $5,000 for the Santa Rosa Symphony Association.

“With contributions of their time, talent, and treasure, the individuals and organizations nominated for the Heart of Sonoma County Awards demonstrate that Sonoma County is a community of great leaders that do the right thing,” said Linda Jacobs, CEO at Center for Volunteers & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL).

Other honors at CVNL's first annual Heart of Sonoma County™ Award awards event included Corporate Community Service Award (American AgCredit), Volunteer of the Year Award (Gene Girimonte of Alzheimer’s Associations of the North Bay), Excellence in Board Leadership Award (Mary Henderson, Chop’s Teen Club), Excellence in Innovation Award (Humane Society of Sonoma County’s Community Veterinary Clinic), five Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards, Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence Award (Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa) and a Lifetime Achievement Award (William “Willie” Tamayo). The awardees received a grand total of $35,000 to support the critical work of local nonprofits and volunteers.

The programs and services of CVNL, formerly known as the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, include the Sonoma Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program and Volunteer Wheels.