Meet Vanessa Cooksey: Leading St. Louis Through Arts, Culture, and Community
For Vanessa Cooksey, President and CEO of the Regional Arts Commission (RAC), leadership begins with clarity of purpose. “I believe this work aligns with my purpose on earth,” she reflects. “I heard a quote that says, ‘There are two very important days in a person’s life: the day you were born and the day you find out why.’ And I am blessed that I know why. My purpose is to bring creativity and well-being to individuals, communities, and organizations.”
That sense of calling infuses everything she does. At RAC, Vanessa leads with a three-pronged focus: people, resources, and impact. She collaborates with business and civic leaders across the region, inspires a team of arts professionals, and stewards more than $7 million in annual public funding that supports artists and cultural institutions. Under her leadership, the Commission is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. She is grateful that RAC continues to invest in the cultural experiences that make St. Louis “cool,” from the Symphony to Frizz Fest to creatives like Cbabi Bayoc.
Vanessa’s career has taken her from the entertainment world of Cartoon Network to the corporate headquarters of Wells Fargo and Anheuser-Busch, always connected by a through-line of creativity and community impact. She has addressed challenges like food deserts through innovative grocery store solutions and led campaigns promoting health and wellness for children. Yet her deepest motivation comes from personal history—her father’s passing from pancreatic cancer when she was just 19, and the life-saving encouragement she found in a song on the radio that told her not to give up. “I lead RAC today knowing the full power of the arts to save lives,” she says. “A song, a poem, a painting, a movie, or a book can literally save someone’s life. I especially love music because it can help us through tough times and also provide the soundtrack for our times of celebration.”
Beyond her role at RAC, Vanessa’s passion for well-being has also led her into urban farming. What began as a personal health journey after her father’s death has become somewhat of a side hustle, where she cultivates fresh produce through aeroponic gardening technology. The practice has transformed her health and given her the joy of providing nourishing food to her family and community. “Urban farming has been a great addition to my life. I remember looking at my tower garden during the COVID-19 pandemic when all the grocery stores were closed, and I thought, thank you, God. No matter what happens, I can feed my family as long as I have seeds, electricity and water. And that is a good feeling.”
Her professional path has always been intentional, guided by both vision and flexibility. While she once imagined returning to Atlanta after a few years in St. Louis, she has now built a life and career deeply rooted here. Leading RAC allows her to merge her corporate, philanthropic, and creative experiences into one role—investing in the cultural fabric of the city and county, while amplifying the power of the arts to bring people together as well as drive regional economic growth.
Outside of work, Vanessa is dedicated to her family: her husband Antonio, her teenage son Andrew, and her mother Beverley. She is candid about the challenges of caring for three generations at once—parenting a teenager while supporting her aging mother. Yet, as she explains, her village of friends, colleagues, and community sustains her through it all.
When asked what she hopes others in the Forum will explore, Vanessa offers a challenge rooted in her belief that art belongs to everyone: the St. Louis Mural Project Challenge. With 28 murals newly commissioned across the city’s 14 wards, she encourages members to visit them all and witness the stories they tell. “Sometimes we get in our bubbles,” she says, “but the stories these murals tell and the places they are in are really inspiring. I want people who live here to really get the transformative benefit of this historic investment.”
Vanessa Cooksey’s story is one of vision, resilience, and service. Whether stewarding millions of dollars in arts funding, growing food at home or in the community, or mentoring future leaders through nonprofit board service, her work always circles back to her “why”: investing in creativity and well-being so that communities can thrive.
Connect with her on LinkedIn here.