Women's History Month

Today, for the "Women's History Month" Campaign we are celebrating this amazing and strong woman:

Meet Tonya Robles, 54, wife, mom, brave, inspiring and a Senior Arts Executive.

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are." - Brené Brown

Tonya was born and raised in North Carolina before moving to Maryland, where she continued to grow up. "I come from a long line of strong, southern women - a maternal lineage that is a core part of who I am and the values I carry with me everywhere I go. Faith is woven into that foundation as well; I grew up as a preacher's kid, and that upbringing gave me both a moral compass and the courage to run with my own beliefs, even when they didn't fit neatly into what was expected of me." Says Tonya

Tonya earned a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied voice and music education. Years later, while living in Rota, Spain - one of the many places her husband's Navy career took them - She completed a Master of Public Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. "That degree felt especially meaningful because it reflected my commitment to growing professionally no matter where in the world I found myself." She added with a smile on her face.

Tonya's career is in arts administration and music education, and it has been shaped as much by geography as by ambition. Her husband is a retired U.S. Naval Officer, and for two decades his career took them to Spain, Bahrain, Japan, and Ecuador. Along the way, she received formal attaché training and developed deep experience in cross-cultural diplomacy and representational roles.

"Each relocation was an opportunity - to forge new partnerships, build programs from the ground up, and connect communities through the arts. That experience gave me a leadership style rooted in empathy, resilience, and relationship-building."

"My most significant roles have been Senior Vice President and COO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and COO of the Nashville Symphony. I'm now based in Boston, following my career, with my husband happily retired from the Navy. We also have our beloved little cottage, El Ancla, in Ocean Park, Maine—our sanctuary—and a flat in Sitges, Spain, where we plan to spend time in retirement, a nod to the country that shaped so much of who we've become. My goal is to lead a large professional orchestra as CEO."

Life challenges?

Two things have most shaped—and at times complicated—my career trajectory: being a military spouse, and being a strong woman who speaks truth to power. Following a spouse across continents means rebuilding your professional life repeatedly, often from scratch, in places where you have no network and no guarantee of opportunity. And being direct and principled in environments that don't always welcome that in women has come with its own set of challenges.

I overcame them the same way I was raised to: by trusting myself and the values instilled in me from childhood. My parents gave me the belief that I could be anything—and I ran with it

Life achievements?

My greatest achievements have nothing to do with a title. This year, my husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary—and I love him more today than the day we married. Together we raised an amazing young man, Sam, who is smart, talented, funny, and a genuinely great dinner companion. Sam is an aspiring actor and screenwriter; he earned his undergraduate degree just outside of Barcelona—where we bought our apartment—and is now pursuing his master's degree in Berlin. Watching him build his own life across the world fills me with more pride than anything on my résumé.

Professionally, leading two of America's major orchestras at the COO level is something I'm deeply proud of. But some of my most meaningful work was building programs in countries where I had no blueprint—connecting communities through music in places far from home. Those feel personal in a way that a title never can.

What are your passions?

My family, travel, and classical music - in that order, though they're deeply intertwined. I also have a genuine love of beauty in everyday life: I love dressing well and creating a beautiful home. I believe in the power of aesthetics as an expression of self.

Integrity, truth, and transparency - always. I also deeply value strong women and the men who love and champion them. That combination is rare and worth celebrating.

Tonya, her son Sam and husband Mike

Advice for other women?

"Be true to yourself and your unique gifts. Embrace your choices - all of them whether they center on family, career, or both. Don't let anyone else's definition of success become your measuring stick.

And listen to your gut. My mother put it perfectly: your intuition is not indigestion. That inner voice is telling you something. Trust it."

Here is one more of Tonya's Favorite quotes:

"I was told I could be anything when I grow up. So I became a force to be reckoned with."

—Author Unknown

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Thank you, Tonya, for sharing your story and empowering others!

#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer