Hugh Donnan is CEO of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since the Fall of 2016. Prior to 2016, Hugh was Director of Strategic Communications with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Hugh also previously held communications and marketing positions with the Provincial Government and Stratos during his career.

Hugh holds bachelor of commerce (co-op) and bachelor of arts degrees from Memorial University, as well as a Leadership Certificate.

During Hugh’s time with the NSO, he has led the organization through a full rebranding and website redesign, as well as expanded programming on and off stage. The organization has been recognized with St. John’s Board of Trade Awards for Marketing and Promotional Achievement (2018) and Resilience (2021). In addition, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra won the 2021 Arts Achievement Award from ArtsNL. In addition, Hugh helped lead a successful music director search culminating in the hiring of Simon Rivard in June 2025.

Hugh is a past board member of the board of Shallaway Youth Choir, and is currently vice-chair of  Orchestras Canada, a member of the Nominations Committee and chair of the Executive Director search committee. In his spare time, Hugh is a member of Newman Sound Men’s Choir and volunteers at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. He is also an avid cyclist and woodworker. Hugh lives in St. John’s with his wife Valerie and their active children: Claire, Emmajane and Anthony.