Passing the Baton: Two Ventura County cultural institutions have new leaders in 2026

VENTURA COUNTY REPORTER

by Mike Nelson
Published Mar 19, 2026

“Two of Ventura County’s leading music entities have new leaders, both with past ties to their respective organizations.

Kiren Bansal has been appointed chief executive officer of the New West Symphony, succeeding longtime CEO Natalia Stenava. Bansal previously served as NWS’ director of business operations and development from 2012 to 2016.

Sonia Tower has been named interim executive director of the Ventura Music Festival, an annual event she helped launch in the late 1990s while serving as Cultural Affairs Manager for the city of Ventura. Tower succeeds Lalé Welsh, currently on leave…”