Mayor O'Connell Announces New Executive Director of Office of Entertainment

Today, Mayor Freddie O'Connell joined Metro Council Member Terry Vo, Chair of the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Entertainment Committee, and Entertainment Commission Vice Chair Jeffry Gordon to sign BL2026-1431, legislation sponsored by Chair Vo that establishes the Office of Entertainment in the Mayor's Office. The mayor also announced the hiring of a new executive director to lead the office.

"Today marks a new beginning for our Office of Entertainment, the Entertainment Commission, and for how Nashville supports our creative community," said Mayor O'Connell. "It took a lot of work from many people to get us here and we're looking forward to having the Office of Entertainment on solid footing, with a new executive director supported by the Mayor's Office team."

Mayor O'Connell has hired Sarah Childress, PhD. to serve as the new Executive Director of the Office of Entertainment. Sarah was a top pick of the Entertainment Commission and brings with her deep experience in the creative community including time working and teaching in both the film and music industries.

"The Entertainment Commission put forward two excellent finalists. Dr. Childress is the right leader to build the relationships and trust needed to amplify the great work already happening in entertainment in our city," added Mayor O'Connell.

"Supporting and building appreciation for our creative community is my life's passion and I'm excited to serve this community as the new executive director of the Office of Entertainment," said Dr. Childress. "That starts by listening, learning, and showing the people who do this work that we care and are going to create something impactful, together."

Dr. Childress has spent her career moving between film, TV, advertising, music, public media, academia, and community education to understand the creative ecosystem from every angle.

She joins the Mayor's Office from WNPT where she's served as the Director of Strategy and Operations for the last three years. Prior to that, Sarah was the first Education and Engagement Manager for the Nashville Film Festival, where she built the program and grew community participation by 300% over three years, developing strategic partnerships with Metro Schools, TPAC, and the Frist Art Museum, and integrating film programming directly into middle- and high-school curricula. She's also worked as a music industry executive, managed musical acts, and worked as a film producer and scholar.

Dr. Childress will officially start in the role August 31.