2025 Most Influential Women: Brigette Golmen

Education isn’t a job to Brigette Golmen. It’s a calling.

“It’s where purpose and people meet,” says Golmen, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for Nixa Public Schools. “I believe to my core that this work matters.”

She began her career as a classroom teacher 20 years ago, working in Branson and Nixa, before assuming her first principal role in the Republic School District. Golmen moved into that same position in Nixa in 2017 before taking her current job in 2023.

She oversees Nixa’s district-wide academic vision, instructional design and federal program implementation while also leading the creation of systems that improve student learning, support teacher development, create operational efficiency and ensure access.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of building systems that drive real growth,” Golmen says. “I’ve led nationally recognized school improvement efforts, developed programs that support both academic and emotional needs, and mentored professionals who are now leaders themselves. But what truly defines me isn’t a title or a list of accomplishments. It’s the passion I have for ensuring I make people feel seen, believed in and supported.”

She seeks to foster a culture of excellence, mentor future leaders, assist families and cheer on students as they prepare for adulthood.

“I’ve helped build systems that empower staff, support student success and champion equity,” Golmen says. “But what brings me the greatest pride is seeing the long-term impact of that work come full circle. I’ve watched former students grow into professionals serving their communities — nurses, construction managers, doctors, pastors, business owners and teachers. These are the moments that matter most: When a student I once greeted at the school door is now building a life of service and purpose.”

Outside of her district, Golmen has lent her leadership talents to Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts, Southwest Missouri Show-Me Curriculum Administrators Association and Eastern States Consortium. From hosting site visits to presenting instructional best practices, she serves the wider educational world across the state and region.

“In my roles within education, I’ve had the privilege of helping educators discover their voice, step into leadership and embrace innovation,” Golmen says. “By building systems that foster high expectations, strategic risk-taking and collaborative support, I’ve influenced not just the success of individuals but the culture of entire buildings and teams within our school district and beyond.”

Golmen says she finds deep meaning in her work “not just because it shapes individual lives, but because it shapes our entire future.”