Staff
The Business Council for the Arts (BCA) staff execute the BCA Board’s vision, providing members with opportunities to engage with the arts, connect, and strengthen North Texas’ creative economy.
Stacie Wheelock Adams
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to joining BCA in June 2023, Stacie served as Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Axxess, the leading technology innovator for care at home in the United States. In this role, Stacie was responsible for Axxess’ community relationships while designing and implementing the company’s overarching strategy for philanthropy and community engagement. Working closely with the CEO, Stacie oversaw the development of meaningful philanthropic partnerships, policies and programs while serving as liaison with key national and local stakeholders, including in community and nonprofit organizations.
Prior to joining Axxess in 2017, Stacie served as Deputy Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas. In that role, she worked closely with the museum’s executive director and board to spearhead the museum’s public relations, community advocacy, fundraising and lobbying efforts. Prior to joining the museum in 2011, she served more than five years as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Director of Public Relations and Communications, where among other accomplishments, she hosted Live with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on NPR out of Chicago for three seasons. Before working in the arts, Stacie got her start working in publicity for celebrities and athletes, launching the independent publicity firm Wheelock Consulting in the early 2000s.
Stacie has served on the board of the Dallas Regional Chamber, the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Japan-America Society, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, and The Senior Source. She is also a graduate of the Business Council for the Art’s Leadership Arts program, a former Fellow of Leadership DISD, a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Executive Women’s Roundtable and is currently active in National Charity League (NCL), serving as NCL liaison to Dallas-area nonprofit Attitudes & Attire.
An avid supporter of both the arts and education in the Dallas community, Stacie additionally serves on the Class Advisory Board for Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts and as Fundraising Chair for the Hillcrest High School PTSA.
Stacie is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and management. She lives in Preston Hollow with her husband Steve and two teenage daughters.
Jill VanGorden
Chief Operations Officer & Head of Programs
A dedicated advocate for arts and culture, Jill VanGorden thrives at the intersection of creativity and community engagement. With a diverse background spanning non-profit leadership, education, and business, Jill consistently demonstrates a commitment to nurturing artistic expression and fostering meaningful connections.
As the Vice President of Guest Engagement at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Jill led the Programs and Guest Services teams. Her strategic vision and focus on operational excellence resulted in industry-topping guest satisfaction scores, remarkable increases in attendance, and substantial revenue growth.
While serving as the Director of Creative Services at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, she steered a comprehensive rebranding initiative, infusing the institution with renewed energy. Her leadership extended to education, where she championed learner-centered experiences and initiated a volunteer program that extended the museum’s reach into the community.
Jill brings a unique perspective from her experience in corporate America. While the Director of Business Services at PetroCap LLC, she skillfully managed operations, marketing, and corporate giving. Early in her career, Jill led package design development for the McDonald’s Corporation and other Fortune 500 companies, including Proctor & Gamble, Maybelline, Baxter Labs, and Bausch & Laum – earning her two United States design patents along the way.
Jill remains deeply engaged with the community. Her affiliations with Inspire Art Dallas, Booker T. Washington HSPVA, and Dallas Foundation Women’s Philanthropy Institute reflect her commitment to holistic community enrichment.
Jill holds a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Illinois, a Graphic Design Certificate from SMU, and a Certified EC-12 Art Education Teacher designation. Jill completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero Visible Thinking Course and is certified by the National Association for Interpretation.
Julia Crossland
Finance Manager
Julia’s accounting/finance education comes from 25 plus years of hands-on experience with some of the most prominent UHNW Family Offices in Dallas. She also holds an Associate Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from Dallas Community College. Her unique and extensive experiences have led her to success in the family office world. She built her reputation on trust, integrity and proven success.
Julia loves adventure! Most recently she certified in open water scuba diving and received her motorcycle endorsement. In her spare time, she loves to travel, off-shore sport fish, and create metal art with her CNC plasma machine and welder.
Julia and her husband live in the country with their 2 children, 2 dogs and their senior pot belly pig, Steve.