[8] After graduation, Borda moved to Greenwich Village and started working[clarification needed] as a freelancer for ballet, Broadway shows and various orchestras.
She led the organization for eight years until she was appointed President and CEO of Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position later renamed in 2014 as the David C. Bohnett Presidential Chair.
[10] This title stems from a $10 million endowment made in 2014, "in honor of Deborah Borda's continuing accomplishments with the Los Angeles Philharmonic".
[11] During her time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Borda oversaw the completion of the Walt Disney Concert Hall,[12] helped recruit Gustavo Dudamel as music director, and joined its board in 2010.
[15] During her six year tenure, she led a major renovation of David Geffen Hall, guided the organization through COVID-19, and signed Gustavo Dudamel as the next music director.