We’re building a government together to create a better St. Louis. Stay up to date with the latest news and announcements on the transition.
Updates
Post-Dispatch: Cara Spencer, in first speech as mayor, charts plan to fix St. Louis.
Mayor Cara Spencer on Tuesday took the oath of office and began her campaign to fix St. Louis, promising to bring new urgency and creativity to the business of the city, from picking up trash and filling potholes to redeveloping north St. Louis and overcoming generations of racial division. “Good afternoon, St. Louis,” she told a City Hall rotunda packed with supporters and dignitaries, “and welcome to our city’s next chapter.”
Mayor Cara Spencer on Tuesday took the oath of office and began her campaign to fix St. Louis, promising to bring new urgency and creativity to the business of the city, from picking up trash and filling potholes to redeveloping north St. Louis and overcoming generations of racial division.
She said that under her leadership, the mayor’s office would use data and determination to deliver services that have sputtered in recent years. She said she would work to make sure everyone feels safe no matter what neighborhood they live in. And she promised bold strategies to reverse population decline and disinvestment.
“Good afternoon, St. Louis,” she told a City Hall rotunda packed with supporters and dignitaries, “and welcome to our city’s next chapter.”
Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer Announces Additional Hiring Decisions and Transition Advisory Committee Members
Today, Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer announced additional key staff appointments and volunteer transition advisory committee members.
St. Louis, MO – Today, Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer announced additional key staff appointments and volunteer transition advisory committee members.
The following St. Louis community leaders were selected as new members of her administration:
Major Shawn Dace, Director, Public Safety
Connie Johnson, Director, St. Louis Agency on Training & Employment (SLATE)
Robert Herleth, Interim Chief Operating Officer
Julian Nicks, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Dan Guenther, Liaison to Board of Aldermen
Michael Garvin, Interim City Counselor
The Mayor-Elect also announced the following current members of the Mayor’s Office that will continue to serve:
Gilberto Pinela, Director, Office of New Americans
Jonathan Strong, Interim Chief Inclusive Growth Officer
Casey Millburg, Director, Policy
Rasmus Jorgensen, Interim Deputy Director, Communications
Rochelle Pruitt, Executive Assistant to Mayor
Denise Roberts, Executive Secretary
Krizia Lopez, Workforce Innovation & Strategy Lead (Bloomberg Fellow)
In addition, Mayor-Elect Spencer announced additional civic leaders serving* on transition advisory committees. The most current list includes:
Pastor Andre Alexander - President, Tabernacle Community Development Corporation
Patrick Brown - Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman, President & CEO, Ameren Corporation
Kathy Connors - Executive Director, Gateway180; Chairperson, St. Louis City Continuum of Care
Anna Crosslin - Retired President & CEO, International Institute of St. Louis
Brad Dean - President & CEO, Explore St. Louis
Haliday Douglas - President & CEO, St. Louis Public Schools Foundation
Audrey Ellermann - President, Covenant Blu Grand Center Neighborhood Association; President, Brickline North CDC
Dara Eskridge - CEO, Invest STL
Bill Etling - Senior Vice President, Nestlé Purina PetCare North America
Bridget Flood - Executive Director, Incarnate Word Foundation
Dr. Alexander Garza, MD, MPH - Chief Community Health Officer, SSM Health
Leslie Gill - President & CEO, Rung for Women
Jessica Hicklin - Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Unlocked Labs
Lesley Hoffarth - President and Executive Director, Forest Park Forever
Peter Hoffman - Managing Attorney for Neighborhood Advocacy, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Dr. Stacy Gee Hollins, Ph.D. - Associate Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean, Anheuser-Busch School of Business, Harris-Stowe State University
Robert Holmes - Chairman & CEO, Commerce Bank of St. Louis
Tim Huffman, Ph.D. - Associate Professor, St. Louis University; Founding Board Member, House Everyone STL
Laura Hughes - Founder & CEO, Fleur De Lis Development Corporation
Jake Hummel - President, Missouri AFL-CIO
Adella Jones - Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Larry Middlebrook - Former St. Louis Ward 2 Democratic Committeeman
Jon-Pierre (JP) Mitchom - Director of Equity and Inclusion, Saint Louis Priory School
Julie Murphy - Managing Principal, JFM Strategies, LLC
Brian Phillips - Assistant Vice Chancellor, Washington University Medical Center; Investment Committee, Arch to Park
Jeff Pittman, Ph.D. - Chancellor, Saint Louis Community College
Don Pohl - President, Ranken Technical College
Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano - VP, Entrepreneurship, Cortex Innovation District
Dr. Will Ross, MD, MPH - Alumni Endowed Professor of Medicine and Principal Officer for Community Partnerships, Washington University School of Medicine
Jan Sandweiss - President, Laclede's Landing Neighborhood Association
Tamara Sheffield - SVP & Chief Financial Officer, Forest Park Forever
Steve Smith - Founder & CEO, New + Found
Jayvn Solomon - Founding Director and Creative Strategist, Lotus Labs & Loutopia
John Stiffler - Executive Secretary-Treasurer, St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council
Deanna Venker - Chief Operating Officer, St. Louis County
Dr. Cheryl Watkins, MBA - President & CEO, YWCA Metro St. Louis
Stephen Westbrooks - Executive Director of Southern Region, IFF
Aaron Williams - Senior Project Manager, Penn Services; Board Chairman, 4theVille
Michael Wolff - Former Judge and Chief Justice, Missouri Supreme Court; Professor and Dean Emeritus, Saint Louis University Law School
Paul Woodruff - Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, St. Louis Community Credit Union
*A running list of volunteer leaders and more about the committees can be found at https://www.changeforstl.com/transition-team.
Spencer will be sworn in as the next mayor of St. Louis on Tuesday, April 15, only one week after Election Day.
“I’m grateful to these leaders for stepping up to support our transition,” said Spencer. “Together, we’re building a team ready to deliver transparent, accountable, and people-centered leadership for St. Louis.”
Inauguration of Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer: Tuesday, April 15
Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer and Comptroller-Elect Donna Baringer will be sworn in on Tuesday, April 15th, at 12 pm in the Rotunda of City Hall at 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO. The Mayor-Elect will deliver inaugural remarks at the ceremony.
Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer and Comptroller-Elect Donna Baringer will be sworn in on Tuesday, April 15th, at 12 pm in the Rotunda of City Hall at 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO. The Mayor-Elect will deliver inaugural remarks at the ceremony.
All are welcome to witness the swearing-in and join the celebration. A reception will immediately follow in Room 200.
Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer Announces Key Hiring Decisions and Transition Leadership
Today, Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer announced key mayoral staff and transition leadership, as well as the formation of a volunteer Transition Advisory Committee of community stakeholders to support an impactful, solution-driven transition period for the City of St. Louis.
St. Louis, MO – Today, Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer announced key mayoral staff and transition leadership, as well as the formation of a volunteer Transition Advisory Committee of community stakeholders to support an impactful, solution-driven transition period for the City of St. Louis.
The following St. Louis community leaders were selected as members of her administration:
Nancy Hawes, Chief of Staff
Nancy is a native St Louisan and attorney with a long record of being active in civic affairs. She previously served as managing shareholder for The Hawes Law Firm and in leadership roles at both Polsinelli PC and Armstrong Teasdale LLP. A single mom, she raised three children while going to law school.
Emily Thenhaus, Deputy Chief of Staff
Emily has been the Executive Director for the Cherokee Street Community Improvement District for over five years. She previously served as the media and engagement specialist for the Mayor's office under Mayor Lyda Krewson.
Beverly Isom, Communications Director
A communications professional with over 20 years experience as a leader in high-profile organizations and in local government, Beverly brings extensive experience in media relations, messaging, internal and external communications, issues management, social media, municipal telecommunications management, campaign communications and strategic planning.
In addition, Mayor-Elect Spencer announced a transition advisory structure with six different committees to develop recommendations and give insights on:
City Services: Delivering efficient, high-quality services to residents and businesses.
Commercial Transformation: Advancing the City of Saint Louis as a thriving hub for business and career opportunities.
Neighborhood Transformation: Fostering vibrant neighborhoods that all residents can proudly call home.
Inclusive Economy: Driving inclusive prosperity through housing accessibility, comprehensive homelessness and public health solutions, and immigration-enabled workforce growth.
Inclusive Education: Ensuring every child has access to quality education and pathways to success.
Safety & Justice: Building a safer and more just city for all.
Civic leaders serving* on these committees include:
Pastor Andre Alexander - President, Tabernacle Community Development Corporation
Patrick Brown - Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman, President & CEO, Ameren Corporation
Anna Crosslin - Retired President & CEO, International Institute of St. Louis
Haliday Douglas - President & CEO, St. Louis Public Schools Foundation
Audrey Ellermann - President, Covenant Blu Grand Center Neighborhood Association; President, Brickline North CDC
Bill Etling - Senior Vice President, Nestlé Purina PetCare North America
Bridget Flood - Executive Director, Incarnate Word Foundation
Dr. Alexander Garza, MD, MPH - Chief Community Health Officer, SSM Health
Leslie Gill - President & CEO, Rung for Women
Lesley Hoffarth - President and Executive Director, Forest Park Forever
Peter Hoffman - Managing Attorney for Neighborhood Advocacy, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Dr. Stacy Gee Hollins, Ph.D. - Associate Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean, Anheuser-Busch School of Business, Harris-Stowe State University
Robert Holmes - Chairman & CEO, Commerce Bank of St. Louis
Tim Huffman, Ph.D. - Associate Professor, St. Louis University; Founding Board Member, House Everyone STL
Laura Hughes - Founder & CEO, Fleur De Lis Development Corporation
Jon-Pierre (JP) Mitchom - Director of Equity and Inclusion, Saint Louis Priory School
Julie Murphy - Managing Principal, JFM Strategies, LLC
Brian Phillips - Assistant Vice Chancellor, Washington University Medical Center; Investment Committee, Arch to Park
Jeff Pittman, Ph.D. - Chancellor, Saint Louis Community College
Don Pohl - President, Ranken Technical College
Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano - VP, Entrepreneurship, Cortex Innovation District
Dr. Will Ross, MD, MPH - Alumni Endowed Professor of Medicine and Principal Officer for Community Partnerships, Washington University School of Medicine
Steve Smith - Founder & CEO, New + Found
Jayvn Solomon - Founding Director and Creative Strategist, Lotus Labs & Loutopia
Dr. Cheryl Watkins, MBA - President & CEO, YWCA Metro St. Louis
Stephen Westbrooks - Executive Director of Southern Region, IFF
Michael Wolff - Former Judge and Chief Justice, Missouri Supreme Court; Professor and Dean Emeritus, Saint Louis University Law School
Paul Woodruff - Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, St. Louis Community Credit Union
*Committees were still in formation as of the time of this release. The Transition Advisory Committees will conclude their work by the end of July with a report that will be made publicly available at CHANGEforSTL.com.
The Mayor-Elect has also tapped former Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Joni Wickham of Wickham James Strategies & Solutions to lead transition efforts. Additionally, Mindy Mazur and Julian Nicks of Mazur & Co. will help support a seamless, efficient, and inclusive transition process.
“St. Louis’s next chapter is one with quality schools, safe and vibrant neighborhoods, and successful businesses - a place where everyone can thrive. This work requires perspectives from all walks of life and every corner of the City,” said Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer. “I’m honored that all of these individuals are collaborating to help build a solid foundation for a growing and equitable St. Louis that meets the needs of all residents. Like me, everyone involved in this effort believes in the promise of St. Louis.”
St. Louisans are invited to visit CHANGEforSTL.com for more information on the mayoral transition and to stay updated on additional announcements.
Post-Dispatch: Cara Spencer wins landslide in St. Louis mayor race.
Alderwoman Cara Spencer was overwhelmingly elected mayor of St. Louis on Tuesday, beating Mayor Tishaura O. Jones by a margin almost as wide as in the primary a month ago. In final, unofficial results, Spencer won 64%-36% on Tuesday. "We voted for change," Spencer said over a cheering, shouting crowd at Union Station. "I hope I have the privilege and honor to earn your support over the next four years."
Alderwoman Cara Spencer was overwhelmingly elected mayor of St. Louis on Tuesday, beating Mayor Tishaura O. Jones by a margin almost as wide as in the primary a month ago.
In final, unofficial results, Spencer won 64%-36% on Tuesday.
The results amounted to a rejection of Jones by voters frustrated with her stewardship of malfunctioning city services, underwhelmed by her handling of a big haul of federal pandemic aid, and unconvinced of public safety improvements.
It also marked a vote of confidence in Spencer, who promised to bring new energy and ideas to City Hall, pick up the trash and clear snow from the streets, clean up mismanagement in city departments, and make people feel safer in their homes and community.
"We voted for change," Spencer said over a cheering, shouting crowd at Union Station. "I hope I have the privilege and honor to earn your support over the next four years."