Leadership

Candace Bingham

Deanna Cotton

Elliot Archer

Candace Bingham brings extensive experience in professional purchasing, with a career defined by strategic partnership development, operational excellence, and process improvement. After beginning her career in the commercial sector, she transitioned to the nonprofit space, where she currently serves as Director of Procurement and Supplier Engagement at the Saint Louis Zoo. Candace is deeply committed to fiscal stewardship and inclusive economic development, working to advance equitable and sustainable outcomes for both her organization and the St. Louis region. A graduate of FOCUS Leadership St. Louis, she serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce, as Membership and Public Relations Chair for the St. Louis Supplier Development Professionals Network, Advisor to the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, and is an active collaborator within Greater St. Louis Inc.’s SupplySTL ecosystem supporting wealth-building strategies and expanded supplier access across the region.

Elliot Archer is a disabled, transgender public historian with a commitment to disability justice, education and programming, and grant writing/development. In May 2024, he completed his Master of Arts in History (with a concentration in Museums, Heritage, and Public History) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis under the mentorship of Dr. Lara Kelland and Dr. Lauren Obermark. In 2021, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History with Honors. His exit project is a zine titled More than Access: Understanding Disability Justice in the Context of Museums, addressing disability justice in the museum sector. He currently works in data and grant management with a St. Louis social services nonprofit organization. Outside of the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce, he currently volunteers with the Alliance of Texas History, Dallas Area Society of Historians, Challenging History Initiative, the Contemporary Art Museum, Tenth Life Cat Rescue, the Regional Arts Commission, UMSL National History Day, the Gateway Arch National Park, and the Great Rivers Greenway.

James Spell

Jason Vasser-Elong

Ricardo Flores

With a BA in art history, James has graduate coursework in architecture and urban design and is working towards his project management professional certification. He is an accomplished learning and development professional, people focused team leader, innovative instructional designer, and engaging communicator speacializing in the creation, presentation and administration of results-oriented organizational and personal development initiatives resulting in a collaborative, inclusive workplace culture.

Jason Vasser-Elong is a poet and a seasoned higher education professional with over ten years of collegiate experience as a faculty member, workshop developer and researcher, with additional expertise in diversity and community arts training. Jason has experience in creating inclusive, engaging learning programs and in leading writing workshops. He recently presented research at the American Anthropological Associations’ Annual Meeting. 

Ricardo Flores is a former performing and radio DJ and music producer originally form Monterrey, MX. He is also a retired dramatic tenor with passion for operatic and symphonic music. He spends his time as a Product Manager for Parker Hannifin Corporation, where he is also the global chair for the Business Resource Group that foster the growth of the Hispanic/Latino team members. A certified PMP, he Joined the St. Louis Arts Chamber of commerce to support with his expertise the projects that blend arts and economics and create a better place to live and to engage the Hispanic/Latino community into the mission and vision of the chamber.

Maria Rosario

Mark Spykerman

Vanessa Kim

Maria Rosario serves as a marketing and development leader in St. Louis. She brings her experience of active board membership with the Puerto Rican Society, along with a wealth of marketing knowledge and experience.

Mark Spykerman is a public finance attorney with Gilmore Bell in St. Louis. Mark brings expertise in representing local governments on economic development matters.

Vanessa Kim is a graphic and visual design professional that believes in the power of thoughtful design to create tangible positive impacts within communities.

Her background in visual storytelling and marketing, she uses design to strengthen communication, clarify ideas, and foster deeper connections between organizations and the communities they serve. Her experience spans branding and digital design, with a focus on creating work that is human-centered and visually compelling.

Jane Robinson

Raymond Hui

Jane Robinson is a dynamic leader with a diverse background spanning education, music, and business. Her 20 years of experience in editorial development, marketing strategy, and administration have honed her creative thinking and strategic planning skills. Jane has successfully led and melded siloed managers into a team that thrives because of healthy communication and shared vision. With a gift for seeing the high-level strategy needed as well as anticipating places for communication breakdown and changes needed in the original plan, she is often chosen to lead major organizational change. Now, as Assistant Director of the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce, Jane is dedicated to serving the St. Louis community through initiatives that foster creative placemaking, engaging events, and impactful mentoring programs. Her strengths of excellent communication and discerning opportunities for every individual to make positive contributions fit well with the organization’s position of completing big projects by coordinating many diverse organizations. Having completed a Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Development, Jane will graduate in March, earning a Master’s in Nonprofit Management with a Fundraising Concentration.

Front End Web Developer experienced with many modern web technologies such as React, Firebase, ES6, BootStrap, Node.js, MySQL, jQuery and more.