Mayor’s Commission for Children names new director

The Mayor’s Commission for Children board selected a new executive director following the resignation of its inaugural leader.

Brigitte Marrs succeeds Denise Bredfeldt, who stepped down in October to pursue private sector work after leading the commission since its 2004 inception. Her LinkedIn profile does not list a new job. The executive director is the commission’s only paid member.

A past director of development for Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri and former executive at Drury University, Marrs has served on the city of Springfield’s early childhood education commission since 2013, according to a news release.

As executive director, she’ll lead an initiative designed to ensure children start school with appropriate skills and knowledge. Board members are appointed by the mayor for three-year terms on the commission that provides reports on community progress related to local youth.

“The Mayor’s Commission for Children has been a collaborating and cooperating force with the stakeholders in our community for the last 13 years,” Marrs said in the release. “Our commission members are dedicated to educating, advocating and communicating our strategic priorities to improve the lives of all children in Springfield.”

The commission helped established the Red Wagons Kids initiative, which works with representatives from the business, education, faith, health, policy and service sectors to identify ways the city can help young children succeed through educational, social and health efforts. It also helps implement developmental screenings.

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