Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer Announces Key Hiring Decisions and Transition Leadership
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.