Melia Tourangeau, President & CEO of Pittsburgh Symphony: Leading Through Crisis

Melia Tourangeau joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on People Solve Problems to share her experience as President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where she made history as both the first woman and youngest CEO in the organization's 129-year legacy.

In the conversation, Melia revealed one of her most significant challenges occurred shortly after joining the Symphony. While initially identifying what appeared to be a manageable $1 million structural deficit on a $30 million budget, deeper analysis uncovered the actual deficit was closer to $5 million annually. This discovery, combined with her status as a newcomer to Pittsburgh where 75% of the budget relies on charitable sources, created an especially complex situation.

The challenge intensified when contract negotiations with the musicians' union led to a 55-day strike, marking the Symphony's first work stoppage since the 1970s. Melia acknowledged this was one of the most difficult periods in her career, noting that leaders rarely survive such conflicts. However, her ability to rebuild relationships and trust afterward has been evidenced by her successful ten-year tenure.

 

Melia shared her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of bringing together the right people to solve problems. She described how she approaches complex decisions by gathering small groups of board members with diverse expertise rather than trying to get everyone in one room. This collaborative approach has helped address various challenges, including developing innovative solutions for the Symphony's endowment strategy.

When discussing prioritization, she highlighted the challenge of balancing urgent daily needs with critical long-term planning. This is particularly relevant as the Symphony executes a 10-year financial recovery plan following COVID-19, working to close the gap between expenses that are 8% below pre-pandemic levels and costs that have risen 12%.

One of Melia's innovative initiatives is "Disrupt," a new concert series designed to meet audience desires for more casual, contextualized experiences with shorter programs and enhanced production elements. Despite initial skepticism from staff who recalled similar past attempts, Melia committed to a five-year timeline with clear metrics and a willingness to adapt based on results.

Throughout the conversation, Melia emphasized how she stays grounded during challenging times by returning to the concert hall to listen to the orchestra perform, reconnecting with the fundamental purpose of supporting artists and their work.

To learn more about Melia Tourangeau and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, visit https://pittsburghsymphony.org/ or connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/melia-tourangeau-092985121.