Derek A. Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall

Derek A. Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall

From CI to Eye with Monica Holt by Capacity Interactive

April 9, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

Derek A. Johnson discusses his leadership philosophy and the future of orchestra marketing.

The best leaders build conditions for others to shine. Derek A. Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer of Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, has built his leadership philosophy around this very idea. Derek brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to navigating the complexities of today's arts landscape, drawing on years of experience across major cultural institutions like the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center. In this episode, Derek reflects on the power of servant leadership and how trust becomes the foundation for both strong teams and bold ideas. He also shares what it means to step into a senior leadership role at a pivotal moment for Seattle Symphony, and how he hopes orchestra marketing will evolve in the years ahead. ----- LINKS: Seattle Symphony: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/ Benaroya Hall: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/

People in this episode

Host: Monica Holt

Guest: Derek A. Johnson

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • servant leadership
  • arts marketing
  • team building
  • trust
  • cultural institutions

Keywords

  • leadership philosophy
  • servant leadership
  • Seattle Symphony
  • arts landscape
  • trust
  • marketing evolution

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center, Merriam-Webster

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