Jessica Phillips: Principal, Arts + Culture

Having performed with the Grammy-winning Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2001, Jessica has established herself as an accomplished artist, educator, and arts leader, recognized for her work on the power of collaboration to forge community connections and meaningful change.

Jessica’s consulting expertise lies in fostering collaborative processes, labor relations, negotiations, and organization change. A tireless advocate, Jessica has served on numerous boards, including Union Local 802. She currently sits on the boards of the League of American Orchestras and The Field. She is a sought-after speaker on organizational transformation, creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures, and entrepreneurial leadership, with multiple appearances at SphinxConnect, the League of American Orchestras, and Lincoln Center’s Curriculum for Change.

As an educator, Jessica serves on the Graduate Studies faculty at The Juilliard School and is Faculty Co-Lead for the Global Leaders Institute and the Concert Artist Guild’s Community Impact Project Incubator, as well as a mentor and coach for New World Symphony’s BLUE Project. She is guest faculty for OPERA America’s “Leadership Intensive” and the League of American Orchestras’ “Essentials of Orchestra Management,” where she works to empower emerging musicians and arts administrators. Her teaching integrates design thinking, social impact, and leadership development, supporting the next generation of arts ambassadors.

Jessica earned her MBA in Arts Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the Global Leaders Institute and graduated cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a BA in Political Science and Music. She holds advanced certificates from Harvard, NYU, and Cornell in leadership for social impact, nonprofit management, labor relations, and negotiations.