James McKissic
Chattanooga
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at ArtsBuild, excelling in equitable grantmaking and strategic philanthropy. Spearheaded initiatives that secured City and County funding for the arts, while fostering cross-sector collaboration and community engagement. Adept at driving social impact through innovative policies and strong donor stewardship.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
President
ArtsBuild
Chattanooga
01.2019 - Current
- Lead the region’s primary arts funding agency, responsible for equity-focused grantmaking, fund development, and institutional strategy.
- Connect the organization's work to economic development, workforce development, education, and community development.
- Managed personnel issues including recruitment, hiring, training, performance evaluation, and termination.
- Created a marketing plan to increase awareness of the organization's activities in the community.
- Established fundraising strategies to increase financial support for programs and services.
- Established the organization's Arts Advocacy effort, resulting in City and County funding for the arts sector.
Senior Advisor to the Mayor & Director of Multicultural Affairs
City of Chattanooga
Chattanooga
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Directed the City's Office of Multicultural Affairs responsible for supplier diversity and comprehensive inclusion strategies.
- Collaborated with internal departments to create action plans for implementing changes identified through research.
- Conducted workshops to share new information with groups and stakeholders.
- Established the City's Government Accountability for Racial Equity (GARE), KIVA, and MLK Day of Service Programs.
Chief Operating Officer
Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga
01.2004 - 01.2013
- Led organizational strategy, operations, and major philanthropic partnerships across education, financial empowerment, and workforce programs.
- Established key performance indicators for measuring success.
- Directed the daily operations of multiple departments across the organization.
- Maintained productive relationships and communication channels across organization and within the community.
Education
Executive Program - Arts and Cultural Strategy
University of Pennsylvania & National Arts Strategies
Philadelphia, PA01.2019
Fellowships - New American Leaders & Victory Fund
Harvard Business School & JFK School of Government
Cambridge, MA01.2016
M.P.A. - Public & Nonprofit Management and Policy
New York University – Robert Wagner School
New York, NY01.2001
B.S. - Secondary Education
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN01.1995
Skills
- Government, Philanthropic & Nonprofit Leadership
- Cross-Sector Collaboration & Policy Innovation
- Community engagement
- Advocacy efforts
- Strategic Philanthropy & Social Impact Strategy
- Equitable grantmaking
- Community Investment & Collective Impact
- Board Relations & Governance
- Donor Stewardship & Fund Development
Recognition And Honors
- Homage Award, BEC Awards, 01/01/24
- Public Official of the Year, TN Association of Social Workers, 01/01/15
- Outstanding Community Leader, TN Disability Organizations, 01/01/17
Board And Community Leadership
- Chair, Humanities Tennessee & Hamilton County Schools Foundation
- Treasurer, Tennessee Craft – Southeast
- Board Member, The River City Company & Tennesseans for the Arts
- Founder, African American Historic Cemetery Fund
- Founding Member, Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement
- Volunteer, Adult Literacy Teacher & Little Free Library Steward
Education And Professional Development
- University of Pennsylvania & National Arts Strategies, Executive Program in Arts and Cultural Strategy, 01/01/18–12/31/19
- Harvard Business School & JFK School of Government, New American Leaders & Victory Fund Fellowships, 01/01/05, 01/01/16
- New York University – Wagner School, M.P.A., Public & Nonprofit Management and Policy, 01/01/01
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, B.S., Secondary Education, 01/01/95
Affiliations
- Board Chair, Humanities Tennessee & Hamilton County Schools Foundation
- Vice Chair and Treasurer, Tennessee Craft – Southeast
- Board Member, The River City Company & Tennesseans for the Arts
- Founder, African American Historic Cemetery Fund
- Founding Member, Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement
- Adult Literacy Volunteer & Little Free Library Steward
Timeline
President
ArtsBuild
01.2019 - Current
Senior Advisor to the Mayor & Director of Multicultural Affairs
City of Chattanooga
01.2013 - 01.2019
Chief Operating Officer
Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
01.2004 - 01.2013
Executive Program - Arts and Cultural Strategy
University of Pennsylvania & National Arts Strategies
Fellowships - New American Leaders & Victory Fund
Harvard Business School & JFK School of Government
M.P.A. - Public & Nonprofit Management and Policy
New York University – Robert Wagner School
B.S. - Secondary Education
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
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