KRISHNA THIAGARAJAN CONSULTING

"Krishna is a brilliant mind with wide and thorough knowledge. I have personally learned a lot being invited to brain storm with him on many different topics and continue to seek his advice on many subjects. I can only articulate how much a pleasure, privilege and inspiration it has been to partner with him during all these years."

"I have worked with a significant number of CEOs over the years. Krishna is absolutely exceptional by every standard. In my experience, he commands the respect of the players and the staff, he relates effortlessly with donors and trustees, and he demonstrates the ideal balance of empathy and strength that great leadership requires."

"Krishna Thiagarajan is a consummate professional and a collaborative colleague in the best sense — a first-rate professional at the helm. I very much hope to cross paths with Krishna again and I already miss that excellent collaboration."

“I have known Krishna Thiagarajan for 11 years and was a member of the recruitment panel responsible for appointing him as CEO of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Krishna is a leader with extraordinary vision. He is a master of the art of possibility and lifts all around him to be more than they thought possible. He understands music and musicians, and knows how to connect their talents and passion to audiences and communities. Combining this with his astute business acumen, it is no wonder he is one of the most respected leaders in the field of orchestral music. Multilingual and comfortable in North America, Europe, and Asia, Krishna is ideally suited to lead world class organizations with global ambition.”

“I have known Krishna Thiagarajan for 12 years and collaborated with him when he was CEO of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and again at the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. In every role he used his talents and experience to lead the organization to success. In the world of classical music there are very few managers of his caliber and I know that Krishna will have an impact on the future of our field.”

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"Krishna Thiagarajan's strategic thinking, ability to diagnose and solve problems, and activism on behalf of Seattle Symphony Orchestra and our entire sector has been deeply appreciated by me and our cohort of King County arts leaders. I rely on Krishna’s calm and clear perspective and his many years of experience, and know Seattle’s cultural community is stronger because of him."

"I have known Krishna Thiagarajan for over 20 years and have watched as he has established himself as one of the most revered orchestral leaders of the 21st century both in North America and Europe. He is invested in positive change for the next generation of musicians through his tireless advocacy. Krishna is among the most respected leaders in the field thanks to his unique depth of musical knowledge and business acumen combined with a deep understanding of the nuances of the orchestral sector.”

"Krishna Thiagarajan's dedication, expertise, and passion for the arts have significantly enriched ourorganization. His insightful perspectives and strategic thinking have been instrumental in shaping ArtsWA's policies and initiatives. His commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive arts community has been unwavering. He was one of the first people I called when ArtsWA embarked on efforts to re-open our sector safely during and post-COVID. We are truly fortunate to have Krishna as a part of the ArtsWA family, and as an important player in the arts and creative economy sectors of our state. His work inspires and guides and will do so for years to come."

"Krishna Thiagarajan has been instrumental in advocating for legislation that saw the passage of Doors Open, an initiative that brings over $100 million a year to the arts and culture community in King County. He has also been a champion for diversifying the leadership and patronage within Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Benaroya Hall. I would categorize Krishna as an exemplary leader and one that has demonstrated successes here in the Seattle region and across the globe."

"Krishna Thiagarajan has been a true partner in our work, demonstrating exceptional collaboration and commitment. Krishna’s effort to open Benaroya Hall to diverse artists and audiences fosters equity, activates the community, and supports the arts sector as a whole."

"Since my arrival in Seattle 18 months ago, I have had the opportunity to work with Krishna and have found him to be an exceptional strategic thinker and a collaborative partner. Our work together, particularly on initiatives aimed at activating the public spaces of Benaroya Hall as part of the Mayor’s Downtown Activation priorities and in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, has been a highlight of my time here. Through our discussions, my office has been able to secure funding for Benaroya Hall in the Mayor’s 2025-26 budget, which is a testament to Krishna’s vision, leadership, and ability to engage key stakeholders effectively. In short, Krishna Thiagarajan is a visionary and effective leader whose contributions to the Seattle Symphony and the cultural life of our city cannot be overstated."

"The last few years have not been business as usual for arts non-profits. Through all that and in my broad view, Krishna Thiagarajan’s leadership has been exemplary. His steady hand, wisdom, and tenacity were anchors I could count on as Inspire Washington moved forward with our big objectives (Working Washington 5, Doors Open, etc.) to sustain cultural programming in Washington.”

"Krishna Thiagarajan is a true visionary. I am indebted to Krishna for his support for Gene Kelly's Legacy and for the spectacular composers, arrangers and musicians of Hollywood's Golden era. But my deep admiration for him and his work is what compelled me to write this letter. I cannot recommend Krishna more highly. I sincerely believe that he can master any challenge that comes his way and that he will be an immense addition to any organization."

"When Krishna Thiagarajan talks about the importance of music and the arts in our lives and communities, no one is more eloquent and powerful. During Krishna’s tenure at the Seattle Symphony, he led the organization artfully through the pandemic and hired an extraordinary music director to start a new era for the SSO."