Meet the SRAC Team
The SRAC operations team helps execute the organization’s various events, programs and initiatives. With a passion for the arts, each team member is dedicated to connecting Springfield’s talented creators to the community. Learn more about each team member’s role and background.
Leslie Forrester
Executive Director
She is a passionate advocate for the arts, championing access to the arts for all. As Executive Director, she oversees every aspect of running the non-profit organization, including budgeting, fundraising, facility management, outreach, and programming. Leslie serves on community committees like the ¾ Cent Citizens Advisory Committee and the Community Focus Report. She’s also the Board President for Missouri Citizens for the Arts and serves as the Arts Everywhere Coordinator for the Missouri Association for Community Arts Agencies. When she’s not running the show at SRAC, Leslie is in the classroom, teaching Art History and Art Appreciation at Ozarks Tech. Before joining SRAC in 2013, she worked with the Missouri Arts Council in St. Louis as a Program Specialist. Leslie holds a Master of
Fine Arts in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University and a BFA in Arts Management from Culver-Stockton College. A lifelong creative, she’s explored everything from instrumental music and theater to visual art and graphic design—proving that for Leslie, the arts aren’t just a job, they’re a way of life.
Sarah Abele
Director of Programs
Sarah Abele serves as Program Director at the Springfield Regional Arts Council, where she brings a dynamic background in public relations and community engagement to her work advancing the arts in Southwest Missouri. At the SRAC, Sarah plays a key role in producing high-impact, community-centered events—including Artsfest, the largest fine arts festival in the region, and The Ozzie Awards, a celebration of local arts excellence. She also leads Growing Up in the Arts, an award-winning educational initiative recognized by the Missouri Arts Council for its outstanding impact on young learners. Through these efforts, Sarah remains deeply committed to enriching the cultural landscape and expanding access to the arts across the Ozarks.
Claire Utley
Program Manager
A lifelong passion for the arts has led Claire to hold a B.A. in Arts Administration and Fine Arts from Drury University. She works to execute SRAC exhibitions at The Creamery Arts Center, Springfield-Branson National Airport and works to promote the arts in Downtown Springfield businesses, galleries, and restaurants.
Jacinda Warren
Director of Finance & Administration
Jacinda Warren is the Director of Finance and Administration and brings over 20 years of financial and administrative experience in the private sector to her role at the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Her expertise plays a vital role in supporting nearly every facet of the Arts Council and The Creamery Arts Center. Beyond finance, Jacinda leads SRAC’s Membership and Volunteer Programs, working to revitalize member engagement, expand community partnerships, and build a strong volunteer network to support events and initiatives. She also assists with donor and corporate sponsor development, applying her background as a small business owner to strengthen organizational systems and relationships. A lifelong Springfield resident, Jacinda combines professional expertise with deep community ties to help advance SRAC’s mission and impact across southwest Missouri.
Nate Black
Operations Coordinator
Nate Black is the Operations Coordinator. Nate Black brings a can-do, can-build, can-organize attitude and skill set to his role as Operations Coordinator. A multifaceted creative in his off-hours, Nate is a visual artist, zine maker, woodworker, and Emmy-winning comedy performer with The Mystery Hour. He’s a proud Hillcrest High School grad and lifelong Springfieldian with a passion for creativity and fun
Shannon Cay
Director of Communications
Shannon Cay Bowers is the Director of Communications at the Springfield Regional Arts Council, where she blends strategic vision with a love of storytelling to champion the arts in southwest Missouri. With a background in journalism, documentary film, and community engagement, she brings a unique lens to how people connect through creativity. Shannon is passionate about amplifying local voices, building strong narratives, and making the arts accessible, visible, and vibrant.
Hannah Curran
Curriculum Coordinator & Design Specialist
Hannah Curran is an artist and teacher with a Bachelor of Science and Education in Art and Design from Missouri State University. She has worked with students of all ages, including teaching art for three years at Neosho Junior High. She loves working with students and emphasizes choice and creativity in her lessons. In her free time, she works as a freelance fiber artist and painter, making rugs and home décor.
