Just as longtime Business Council for the Arts retiring CEO Katherine Wagner was ending her 14 years of supporting North Texas arts through all types of challenges including the legendary pandemic, it was announced that a very familiar name within the area’s arts community was returning to the art-loving fold as Katherine’s successor.
That name is Stacie Wheelock Adams.
According to BCA Founder’s Chair Nancy A. Nasher, “Stacie is a leader who has an excellent reputation in the arts community, deep relationships in the business sector and an enthusiasm and commitment to helping the BCA continue its important mission.
Her background covers the area gamut of both visual and performing arts thanks to her serving as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra‘s director of public relations and communications for more than five years and then as deputy director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art for six years.
Prior to taking her new position at BCA, the Texas A&M graduate served as senior vice president of external affairs at Axxess, where she “designed and implemented the company’s overarching strategy for philanthropy and community engagement. Working closely with Axxess Founder and CEO John Olajide, Adams oversaw the development of corporate citizenship and university partnerships and programs while serving as liaison with key stakeholders, including community and non-profit organizations throughout North Texas.”
As John explained, “When I met Stacie more than eight years ago, I knew her deep connections in the Dallas community were exactly what Axxess needed at the time as we worked to build our philanthropic and community engagement footprint in Dallas. I couldn’t imagine a better leader for a role representing the convergence of the arts and business communities than Stacie. I know she will being the same level of commitment and rigor to the BCA that she has done for Axxess over the last five and half years.”
It was during her time at Axxess that she not only worked with a variety of North Texas organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Dallas Citizens Council, the University of Texas at Dallas, the Dallas Independent School District, the Momentous Institute, the T.D. Jakes Foundation STEAM initiatives and Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, but she also served on the boards of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Japan-America Society and The Senior Source.
With that background, Stacie said, “I intend to work alongside our board and our staff to continue to build upon the BCA’s business-facing strategy, providing programs that positively impact engagement and retention, health and wellness, equity, inclusion and diversity, while continuing to grow community connections through arts and culture.”
Welcome back to the hood, Stacie.
* Graphic/photo provided by Business Council for the Arts