Dallas arts and business veteran Stacie Wheelock Adams has been named CEO of Business Council for the Arts (BCA), succeeding Katherine Wagner who retired after 14 years.

“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,” BCA Founder’s Chair Nancy A. Nasher said in a statement.

DFW501c reported Adams was named to the post in June.

Adams’ experience encompasses both visual and performing arts, having served 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.

Previously, Adams was senior vice president of external affairs of home health care tech unicorn Axxess, where she designed and implemented its strategy for philanthropy and community engagement, the DFW501c report said.

Experience building community engagement

Adams worked closely with Axxess’ founder and CEO John Olajide to oversee the development of corporate citizenship and university partnerships and programs. Adams also worked with other key stakeholders, including community and nonprofit organizations, across the region.

“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,” Olajide said in a statement.

The Axxess founder added that he knew Adams would bring “the same level of commitment and rigor to the BCA that she has done for Axxess over the last five and half years.”

While at Axxess, Adams worked with a variety of North Texas organizations such as 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, My Sweet Charity reported.

She also was on the boards of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Japan-America Society, and The Senior Source.

“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,” Adams said.

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