Our Team
Creative Arts Collective
Rick Rekedal
Executive Director, Creative Arts Collective &
Chief Creative Officer, Belmont University
Rick Rekedal is an award-winning, master storyteller bringing truth, light, and lessons through the power of story, arts, and artistic expression throughout his three-decade career. Rick’s expertise is centered in a heart for reaching families right where they are, including more than 20 years with DreamWorks Studios, where his roles included Chief Creative, Global Franchises; Global Head of Interactive and Online and Head of Consumer Products, Licensing & Retail.
In January 2024, Rick joined Nashville-based Belmont University as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Director of the Creative Arts Collective, funded by a $32MM grant from the Lilly Endowment. Rick also serves Belmont in a residency as Senior Fellow for Storytelling and is a trustee with Los Angeles Pacific University. Father to three strong independent daughters, Rick has been married to his wife Vicki for over 30 years.
Rick Rekedal
Executive Director, Creative Arts Collective &
Chief Creative Officer, Belmont University
Rick Rekedal is an award-winning, master storyteller bringing truth, light, and lessons through the power of story, arts, and artistic expression throughout his three-decade career. Rick’s expertise is centered in a heart for reaching families right where they are, including more than 20 years with DreamWorks Studios, where his roles included Chief Creative, Global Franchises; Global Head of Interactive and Online and Head of Consumer Products, Licensing & Retail.
In January 2024, Rick joined Nashville-based Belmont University as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Director of the Creative Arts Collective, funded by a $32MM grant from the Lilly Endowment. Rick also serves Belmont in a residency as Senior Fellow for Storytelling and is a trustee with Los Angeles Pacific University. Father to three strong independent daughters, Rick has been married to his wife Vicki for over 30 years.
Virginia Ezell Briley
External Engagement & Creative Strategist
Virginia Ezell Briley, M.Ed serves as the External Engagement and Creative Strategist for The Creative Arts Collective, leveraging her extensive background in nonprofit leadership, policy advocacy, and education to drive social impact and community engagement. Virginia has a distinguished career that includes receiving numerous teaching awards and leading strategic consulting efforts for major brands, Virginia is dedicated to her hometown of Nashville. A passionate communicator and educator, her transition from teaching to government relations to higher education has been marked by contributions to education reform efforts in Tennessee as well as philanthropic service. She is a member of Nashville Emerging Leaders Class of 2021 Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 and has served on the boards of the Frist Art Museum and Women In Numbers and Honduran orphanage, Jovenes en Camino.
Dr. Steve Guthrie
Professor of Theology/Religion and the Arts &
Senior Fellow, Creative Arts Collective
Dr. Steve Guthrie serves as a the Senior Fellow and previously served as a Thought Leader for the Creative Arts Collective. Steve Guthrie is Professor of Theology / Religion and the Arts at Belmont University and is Senior Fellow for The Creative Arts Collective. He began his professional life as a performing musician, and much of his research and writing is at the intersection of theology and the arts. He is the author of Creator Spirit: The Holy Spirit and the Art of Becoming Human (Baker Academic, 2011), and along with Bennett Zon is the General Editor of the five-volume Oxford Handbook of Music and Christian Theology (Oxford University Press, 2025).
Dr. Steve Guthrie
Professor of Theology/Religion and the Arts &
Senior Fellow, Creative Arts Collective
Dr. Steve Guthrie serves as a the Senior Fellow and previously served as a Thought Leader for the Creative Arts Collective. Steve Guthrie is Professor of Theology / Religion and the Arts at Belmont University and is Senior Fellow for The Creative Arts Collective. He began his professional life as a performing musician, and much of his research and writing is at the intersection of theology and the arts. He is the author of Creator Spirit: The Holy Spirit and the Art of Becoming Human (Baker Academic, 2011), and along with Bennett Zon is the General Editor of the five-volume Oxford Handbook of Music and Christian Theology (Oxford University Press, 2025).
David Minnigan
Thought Leader for the Creative Arts Collective &
Belmont University Architect in Residence
David Minnigan serves as a Thought Leader for the Creative Arts Collective. With 41 years experience as a practicing architect, interior designer, and urban planner- 24 of which on Belmont’s campus-David Minnigan has joined the University as Architect in Residence* and the Creative Arts Collective. His passion for spaces and places that express the awe and wonder of the Christian experience have brought him to this place of cultivating both new and renewed approaches to the faith-inspired arts that enable people and communities to flourish.
Sarah Cates
Vice President for Imagination, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
As Vice President for Imagination, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Sarah Cates works closely with the President and Senior Leadership team to identify high-impact opportunities that set the university apart and serve students in unique ways while bringing the institution local, national and global brand attention. In this role she articulates Belmont’s vision, mission and values with internal and external stakeholders; proactively identifies growth areas and partnerships; and serves as an external representative of the President as needed locally and beyond, among other responsibilities. Cates draws on her extensive relationships in the music industry and the arts to cultivate relationships that can help highlight Belmont’s commitment to beauty as well as goodness and truth.
Sarah Cates
Vice President for Imagination, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
As Vice President for Imagination, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Sarah Cates works closely with the President and Senior Leadership team to identify high-impact opportunities that set the university apart and serve students in unique ways while bringing the institution local, national and global brand attention. In this role she articulates Belmont’s vision, mission and values with internal and external stakeholders; proactively identifies growth areas and partnerships; and serves as an external representative of the President as needed locally and beyond, among other responsibilities. Cates draws on her extensive relationships in the music industry and the arts to cultivate relationships that can help highlight Belmont’s commitment to beauty as well as goodness and truth.
Courtney Hicks
Associate Director of Grant Operations
Courtney Hicks serves as Associate Director of Grant Operations and brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the team. She is a two-time Belmont alumna with a Masters of Education in Nonprofit Leadership and Bachelors of Science in Journalism. Courtney co-founded and led two nonprofit organizations in Nashville – Harvest Hands CDC / Humphreys Street Coffee & Soap and Cosecha CDC. She is a certified spiritual director and loves weaving together spirituality and creativity. The thread of relationship-building runs deep through all of Courtney’s work in the world, and she is honored to be a part of building the nation-wide Creative Arts Collective.
Alyssa Dituro
Grants Coordinator
Alyssa Dituro is the Grants Coordinator for the Creative Arts Collective at Belmont University, with a decade of nonprofit experience in grant management. She has secured funding for diverse arts projects, showcasing her passion for supporting artists and fostering community creativity. Alyssa excels in creating grantee relationships, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and a Master’s from Northeastern Illinois University. Her interest in theology informs her holistic approach to community engagement, blending art and faith to inspire and heal. She currently serves as a board member for TasteQuest and DoorStep Project Inc.
Alyssa Dituro
Grants Coordinator
Alyssa Dituro is the Grants Coordinator for the Creative Arts Collective at Belmont University, with a decade of nonprofit experience in grant management. She has secured funding for diverse arts projects, showcasing her passion for supporting artists and fostering community creativity. Alyssa excels in creating grantee relationships, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and a Master’s from Northeastern Illinois University. Her interest in theology informs her holistic approach to community engagement, blending art and faith to inspire and heal. She currently serves as a board member for TasteQuest and DoorStep Project Inc.
Raleigh McCool
Administrative Coordinator
Raleigh McCool serves as the Administrative Coordinator of the Creative Arts Collective. Raleigh is a creative nonfiction writer, storyteller, educator, and uncle of two. He loves learning new words, Atlanta Braves baseball, and introducing new friends to each other.
Stacie Vining
Marketing & Communications Manager
Stacie Vining is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Creative Arts Collective and an adjunct professor at Belmont University. Spending 25+ years working in the music business in publicity, marketing & artist development, and artist management, she helmed a PR firm for three years before co-owning another PR firm for 13 more years. Deciding to make a career shift, she was thrilled to join the Creative Arts Collective in July of 2024. In her free time, Stacie, her husband, and their college-aged daughter (Hail State!) love to travel and see as much of the world as possible. She is also the proud parent of three four-legged fur children.
Stacie Vining
Marketing & Communications Manager
Stacie Vining is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Creative Arts Collective and an adjunct professor at Belmont University. Spending 25+ years working in the music business in publicity, marketing & artist development, and artist management, she helmed a PR firm for three years before co-owning another PR firm for 13 more years. Deciding to make a career shift, she was thrilled to join the Creative Arts Collective in July of 2024. In her free time, Stacie, her husband, and their college-aged daughter (Hail State!) love to travel and see as much of the world as possible. She is also the proud parent of three four-legged fur children.
Dr. Jennifer Duck
Executive Director of Story Studio &
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Jennifer Duck is a two-time Emmy award winner and Assistant Professor of Journalism at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She is also the Education Co-chair and serves on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Midsouth chapter. Prior to her work at Belmont, Jen was a producer with Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, and Oprah Winfrey, among others. Jen began her career at ABC News in Washington, D.C. During her time with ABC, she traveled around the world aboard Air Force One as White House producer covering President George W. Bush and reported from the campaign trail as President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain canvassed the country in 2008. She earned her stripes as a local reporter and anchor at the NBC News affiliate in Bakersfield, California. Jen also worked with non-profit organizations to spread awareness about important social issues. She produced educational campaigns for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, produced a live event for the David Lynch Foundation, and taught music journalism classes for the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Camp. Jen received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, her master’s degree from Murray State University, and her doctorate degree from Clemson University. Jen’s research focuses on online disinformation, social media, artificial intelligence, and the rhetorics/politics of identity. With a lifelong passion for storytelling, Jen continues to write, edit, and produce podcasts and documentaries. She receives some of her best inspiration from her students, as well as her husband, two daughters, and three dogs.