Mariko Silver ’95 on Leading Lincoln Center – TSC078



Mariko Silver ’95 is the President and CEO of Lincoln Center, the largest performing arts campus in the United States, featuring eleven resident arts organizations ranging from the Metropolitan Opera to Julliard to New York City Ballet to Jazz at Lincoln Center. In this episode, Mariko tells her story. From growing up in New York City before moving to LA and entering Harvard-Westlake in the 10th grade. It was there where she met performing arts and history teachers who inspired Mariko to find her voice as both an artist and a leader. Following Yale and two post-graduate degrees, Mariko led a fascinating career–becoming President of Bennington College at age 35, leading the Henry Luce Foundation, and serving in the Department of Homeland Security in the Obama administration. All of this has led to her current role leading Lincoln Center, bringing “the best of New York to the world and the best of the world to New York.” Mariko references Harvard-Westlake teachers Karl Kleinz, John West, and Cyndy Winter as profound influences on her life and career.