Vanessa Cooksey believes creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s what fuels innovation, strengthens connection, and makes everyday life better for everyone. As President and CEO of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC)—the region’s largest public funder of arts and culture—she leads with vision, purpose, and passion. Since 1985, RAC has invested more than $115 million to support artists, arts organizations, and cultural programs that have helped shape St. Louis into the vibrant, world-class arts and culture destination it is today. Building on that 40-year legacy, Vanessa is steering RAC toward a bold vision: making St. Louis a national model for how arts and culture elevate placemaking and civic pride.
With over 30 years of experience spanning the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors, Vanessa brings both exceptional business acumen and unparalleled creativity to everything she does. Her career has included leadership roles at Mary Kay Cosmetics, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, Cartoon Network, Anheuser-Busch, Wells Fargo, and Washington University in St. Louis. She is known for her ability to build high-performing teams, forge collaborations and partnerships that deliver real results, and bring diverse people and perspectives together to make big ideas happen.
A lifelong changemaker, Vanessa has led initiatives tackling issues ranging from childhood obesity and elder financial abuse to women’s leadership and civic engagement, impacting more than 20 million people nationwide. Her commitment to service runs deep; over the past four decades, she has served on more than 150 nonprofit boards, including the SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education, Harris-Stowe State University, Vote Run Lead, and Mercy Hospitals.
Vanessa earned her bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Webster University. Her global travels across Europe, Africa, and Asia continually inspire and inform her work and worldview. She is the recipient of more than 75 industry and community awards, including the 2016 Eisenhower Fellowship and the 2018 St. Louis American Corporate Executive of the Year award. Vanessa is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When she’s not championing the arts, you’ll likely find her tending to her urban farm or planning her next great adventure with family and friends.