Caroline Carlisle Vincent

Caroline Carlisle Vincent is a strategic operations consultant with more than 25 years of experience as an organizational leader, arts administrator, curator, project manager, and funder working across the public and private sectors. Based in Tennessee, she works nationally with nonprofits, foundations, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen operations, secure funding, and implement sustainable systems that support long-term impact.

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Professional Background

 

Caroline brings deep expertise in organizational strategy, public funding, and complex project management. She previously served as the executive director of a local arts agency in Nashville, Tennessee, where she led major strategic initiatives and oversaw the distribution of more than $3 million in funding to the arts community through competitive grants and artist support programs. During her tenure, she also managed a public art budget exceeding $4 million and collaborated closely with city leadership, community partners, and artists to deliver high-impact public projects.

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For more than a decade, Caroline directed Nashville’s public art program, growing the collection from a small number of works to more than 100 permanent installations across the city. Her leadership emphasized equity, community engagement, and thoughtful integration of public art into civic infrastructure.

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Signature Projects & Leadership

 

Caroline has directed some of Nashville’s most significant public art projects, including Stix by Christian Moeller, Light Meander by Haddad-Drugan, and Witness Walls by Walter Hood. In 2017, she led the city’s first comprehensive public art planning process, resulting in the Public Art Community Investment Plan, which positioned public art as a tool for community investment, workforce development, and equity.

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Her work has frequently involved cross-sector collaboration, balancing creative vision with public accountability, regulatory requirements, and long-term stewardship.

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Current Work

 

Today, Caroline focuses on strategic funding and operations consulting, supporting organizations at moments of growth, transition, or scale. Her work includes:

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• Grant strategy and proposal development

• Program design and evaluation frameworks

• Operational systems and workflow optimization

• Project and portfolio management

• Cross-functional collaboration and implementation support

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She is particularly experienced in helping organizations translate mission into fundable, operationally sound programs.

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Approach & Values

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Caroline’s approach blends strategic rigor with practical execution. She is known for her ability to bring clarity to complex initiatives, align stakeholders around shared goals, and build systems that are both effective and human-centered. Her work is grounded in equity, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

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Selected Affiliations & Experience

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• Nonprofit and public-sector leadership

• Public art and cultural planning

• Grants management and institutional funding

• Youth, equity, and community-based initiatives

 

​Caroline Carlisle Vincent continues to work with organizations across the country that are committed to thoughtful growth, strong governance, and meaningful community impact.

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Additional professional bio