Stuart Dill, Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) entertainment industry liaison since 2015, has been named director of the newly created Office of Engagement.
As director of Engagement, Dill will continue his work with the entertainment industry and will serve as the institutional leader focusing on internal and external community engagement, including new strategies to build upon VUMC’s philanthropic mission.
The new role creates additional opportunities for Dill to develop and strengthen partnerships between VUMC and the entertainment industry, which includes professionals in music, athletics and the performing arts.
In addition to a broader scope of external responsibilities, Dill will work with colleagues in Medical Center Development, the Office of News & Communications, Strategic Marketing & Communications, and other stakeholders throughout the Medical Center to build internal and external awareness of the important role VUMC plays as one of Tennessee’s largest nonprofit entities.
Since joining VUMC, Dill has strengthened the Medical Center’s relationship with the entertainment community, who in turn has made several significant gifts toward the Growing to New Heights fundraising campaign supporting the addition of four floors of new space to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He has engaged notable celebrities to participate in VUMC’s programs and activities such as the quarterly Leadership Assemblies and headed the entertainment program for this spring’s Celebrate the Difference YOU Make Every Day event.
“The definition of a true community is a group of people who care for one another – who engage with one another. Nashville is so unique to have two internationally renowned communities – healthcare and entertainment, and both revolve around engagement. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in the awe-inspiring VUMC community that strives daily to connect and deepen our relationships and engagement in our community, nation and world,” Dill said.
Prior to joining VUMC, Dill was a 30-year music industry veteran, serving as an artist manager on Nashville’s Music Row. During his career in the entertainment industry he managed artists including Minnie Pearl, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Jo Dee Messina, Rodney Crowell, The Wreckers, Sister Hazel, Laura Bell Bundy, Point of Grace, Billy Ray Cyrus, and many others. He also authored the novel, “Murder on Music Row,” that won the Independent Book Publishers (IPPY) Award’s Gold Medal in 2012.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, and a graduate of The American University in Washington, D.C., Dill has been a resident of Nashville since 1984 and is founder of Dill Management Group. He began his career in Nashville penning comic material for Minnie Pearl, Ray Stevens and Jerry Clower. He has also been involved in organizing several music festivals including WestFest, Texas LIVE and Country Gold and is co-creator of the Music & Miracles Superfest.
He has served as chairman of the board of Brentwood Academy, is a board member of the T.J. Martell Foundation, and is a longtime member of the CMA, ACM, NARAS and Leadership Music. Dill has been married to Maral Missirian-Dill for 31 years and together they have two grown children.