In 1991, Borda was appointed Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. She led the organization for eight years until she was appointed President and CEO of Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position later renamed in 2014 as the David C. Bohnett Presidential Chair.[10] This title stems from a $10 million endowment made in 2014, "in honor of Deborah Borda's continuing accomplishments with the Los Angeles Philharmonic".[11]
During her time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Borda oversaw the completion of the Walt Disney Concert Hall,[12] helped recruit Gustavo Dudamel as music director, and joined its board in 2010. Borda developed a strategic plan for the construction and financing of the hall, which officially opened in October 2003.[13]
In 2017, Borda returned to the New York Philharmonic as President and CEO.[15] During her six year tenure, she led a major renovation of David Geffen Hall, guided the organization through COVID-19, and signed Gustavo Dudamel as the next music director.[16]
In 2020, Borda launched the largest women-only commissioning initiative in history, called Project 19. The project consists of 19 new works by 19 women composers.[17]
Personal life
Borda's longtime partner is Coralie Toevs, a senior major gifts officer at the Metropolitan Opera.[18]
