While much of Craft Alliance’s programming is centered in the Delmar Maker District, Knicely has continued to extend the organization’s reach through community partnerships and the Art Smarts program with Saint Louis Public Schools. Despite the tornado that struck the district in May, the nonprofit kept its summer camp on track and even welcomed more students than the year before. Knicely’s advice for the next generation of local leaders: “Embrace change. Build collaborations and partnerships. Learn something new every day. Never burn bridges.”
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2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? Craft Alliance has expanded community programs and outreach. Post May 16 tornado, we have been able to be flexible to continue with Summer Camp for more youth than the previous year. Worked with the Gateway Foundation to rework the entrance of Craft Alliance with the installation of two major sculptures by Klinge, which has transformed the front of the building and public space for both Craft Alliance and the Delmar Maker District.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? We continue to build partnerships through community programs and our ArtSmarts school program with St. Louis Pubic Schools. We hope to add an additional day to the program offerings for school-age youth this fiscal year. We also hope to expand Free Family Saturdays to run every Saturday during the year.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I would change how we are perceived from a funding standpoint. We are an essential part of the fabric of St. Louis like all of the cultural institutions that we all have grown to love. We are what makes St. Louis a livable, vibrant community, and we need to support the cultural assets to build upon the many successes and create an even stronger creative hub for this region. We should be known for the, in many cases, free access to cultural gems.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? Our biggest challenge has been rebuilding as part of the Delmar Maker District post May 16 (tornado). It has been challenging to build support and get the community to come back out to enjoy our exhibitions, programming, and Third Fridays.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? In a past position, we tried to merge a nonprofit with a city government structure. While it made financial sense, the bureaucracy buried the nonprofit in systems that made it too cumbersome to do basic tasks. Sometimes you just have to be happy being the small fish in the big pond and not try to change the ecosystem of the pond.
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Embrace change. Build collaborations and partnerships. Learn something new every day. Never burn bridges.
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? We have an incredible cultural landscape of organizations that are committed to offering free or affordable access to every art form. We make St. Louis a great place to live, work, raise a family, etc. We do this with reduced funding from the overall business community. We are resilient, and we hope to build additional partnerships and funding models moving forward that will help sustain and help us all thrive.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? I would change the current funding models. Many organizations have had drastic or complete cuts from funding from the business community. I would like to change the perception of why we are essential and part of the broader funding mix for the region.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis? I don’t think it is fair to name one person. I do think we have an opportunity to build a stronger team between the mayor’s office, Greater St. Louis, Inc., and Explore St. Louis. We have potential; now let’s roll up our sleeves and be the change we all want.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? I think the individual artists and faculty members (in our case) deserve more recognition. They are the professionals who not only share their talents, but also help teach the next generation how to explore their creative side.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? Delmar Main Street. They are trying to build a community around the past “divide” and stigmas. St. Louis needs more work to bridge past gaps in order to have better equity and access, especially post May 16 (tornado). Delmar Main Street is working every day to revitalize and connect using Delmar Boulevard as the catalyst (not a divide).
BACKGROUND
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned?
BS – Otterbein University (Management & Marketing; MA – The Ohio State University (Arts Policy & Administration); Certificate – The Harvard Business School (Effective Management Strategies for Nonprofits); Certificate – Cornell University (DEI in the Workplace)
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I had a paper route at age 14. I learned to show up daily, be on time, and budget my money. It was also important to have good customer service and be friendly with the customers on my route, know them by name, and talk to them.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What’s your hobby/passion? Shocking—working in the arts. I love to get my hands dirty in the clay studio. I also love to travel. (I have been to 47 states and five continents.) I also like spending time with my Westie, Lollipop. (She comes to work with me daily.)
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? It is hard to pick just one in this context. However, I would say Simon Sinek’s Start with Why or Find Your Why.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? I lean on Filament (a lot) for inspiration and “NSFW” (new skills for work). I enjoy going to their monthly 90-minute sessions to get our of a rut and to be inspired by their process and the conversations in the room It is a quick, 90-minute work therapy/pep talk.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I was originally going to be a governmental tax accountant.
