The mayor also announced the hiring of the new executive director of the new office, Sarah Childress PhD, effective Aug. 31. Childress is currently WNPT Nashville PBS director of strategy and operations.

 

Councilmember Vo sponsored the legislation that led to developments announced today. Such an announcement has been awaited in many quarters of Music City.

 

“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.”

 

A Metro press release late this afternoon said Dr. Childress "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."

 

Hon. Freddie O'Connell

A second "excellent" candidate was put forward by Metro's Entertainment Commission, but that person was not identified in the release.

 

"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,” the mayor added in his comments.

 

Childress said in the release, “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. That starts by listening, learning, and showing the people who do this work that we care and are going to create something impactful, together,” she added.

 

Childress's career has spanned film, TV, advertising, music, public media, academia, and community education roles, which, according to the release, enables her "to understand the creative ecosystem from every angle."

 

The release said, "Prior to joining WNPT, Childress 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 was also adjunct professor (motion pictures department) in the Mike Curb School of Music Business and Entertainment, Belmont University; served in marketing with BBDO in Atlanta; and, worked in PR and marketing for The Coca-Cola Company, according to her LinkedIn profile.

 

 

 

. last edited 1743 6 August 2026