Sarasota Orchestra CFO Cathy Wilson selected as 2025 Tampa Bay Business Journal CFO of the Year Honoree
Sarasota Orchestra Chief Financial Officer Cathy Wilson has been named one of Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2025 CFO of the Year honorees, joining a distinguished group of 17 regional finance executives. The award honors top professionals with outstanding performance in their roles as senior financial leaders in the greater Tampa Bay area including Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Wilson has been with Sarasota Orchestra for 14 years and directs the organization’s financial planning and accounting practices as well as its relationship with banking/investment institutions, stakeholders, board of directors, and finance, audit and endowment committees. She also supervises human resources, information services, facilities, box office and patron services.
“Serving as chief financial officer of Sarasota Orchestra has been a remarkable opportunity to help bring to life a Music Center that will benefit our community for generations,” said Wilson. “It is an honor and joy to help make this project a reality while also living the Orchestra’s ongoing mission to engage, educate, and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences.”
Over the past year, Wilson has played a pivotal role in advancing the Orchestra’s long-term vision, helping to drive operational success and laying the financial and strategic groundwork for the future Music Center, which is set to open during the 2029–2030 concert season. The facility will include the Florida Gulf Coast’s first concert hall purpose-built for acoustic music.
As the operational lead, Wilson is the primary point of contact for all project partners, working with the owners’ representative, Cultural Strategic Partners, to engage with the architectural team, acoustician, theater planner, and civil engineer, ensuring seamless communication and project alignment. Under her leadership, the Orchestra has strategically managed investment strategies to protect donor gifts from market volatility while ensuring cash flow needs are met. Additionally, comprehensive reporting packets have been created for the board of directors and other stakeholders, ensuring informed decision-making at every stage.
“What sets Cathy apart is her ability to balance the complex demands of overseeing daily financial management while keeping a long-term vision for the Music Center. All of this is accomplished with a deep passion for the arts and a commitment to furthering the organization’s positive impact on the community,” said Joseph McKenna, President and CEO of Sarasota Orchestra.
In addition to her outstanding contributions to Sarasota Orchestra, Wilson also dedicates her time to environmental conservation efforts. She has volunteered with sea turtle conservation programs for decades, including Sarasota County’s nesting sea turtle tagging program. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of Art Center Sarasota.
About Sarasota Orchestra:
Since 1949, Sarasota Orchestra has inspired and entertained music-lovers across the region and visitors from around the world. As the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, each year the 76-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music, and community outreach concerts. Sarasota Orchestra’s acclaimed music education program includes the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, established in 1959. Sarasota Orchestra is also the parent program of the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival, founded in 1965. For further information, please visit www.SarasotaOrchestra.org. To learn more about Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Center project, visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org/musiccenter