Jean Davidson is heading west. The long-time Executive Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has officially resigned. She has been named the new Executive Director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California.

The leadership transition was announced on March 6, 2026, with Davidson scheduled to assume her new duties in Beverly Hills on May 4, 2026. During her tenure at the NSO, which began in 2017, Davidson was credited with expanding the orchestra’s programming and overseeing its first international tour in several years. At The Wallis, she fills the leadership role previously held by Robert van Leer.

This significant shift in the arts landscape comes amid reports of administrative friction within the Kennedy Center. According to reports from the Washington Classical Review and other industry outlets, Davidson’s departure follows a period of increasing turmoil under the center's current administration. Despite the internal challenges, Davidson told the Beverly Hills Courier she is eager to join the vibrant cultural scene in Southern California.