Mayor Karen Best has been the mayor of Branson, Missouri since April 14, 2015. Now in the middle of her second term, Mayor Best has focused her efforts on Economic Development, Environment, and Excellence, and has continued to support and uphold the family values that Branson has promoted since it’s very beginning.

Mayor Best was born in Blytheville, Arkansas and raised in East Chicago, Indiana and Springfield, Missouri where she learned life-long lessons about compassion, integrity, and perseverance watching her parents pursue their dreams. She watched as her mother and father worked hard to provide for the family while her father, a high- school dropout, studied hard to achieve a GED, two Bachelor’s Degrees, one Master’s Degree, and a Doctorate. Her Father laid the foundation for her commitment to children and education. Mayor Best obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Education Specialist’s Degree, and a Doctorate (ABD).

Prior to her election, Mayor Best enjoyed a successful career in education which spanned two decades. She developed a proven record of success as a teacher by receiving Citibank’s Success Innovator Award and as a principal by presenting at numerous local, state, and national education conferences. Mayor Best became an advocate for students from low-income communities after serving as a principal in economically challenged areas.

Throughout her years in office, Mayor Best has advocated on behalf of the citizens of Branson at both the state and federal level. She lobbied at a Senate Committee Hearing on Capitol Hill for after-school funding for students in Branson Schools and spoke at the White House to seek assistance with infrastructure, workforce development and the opioid epidemic crisis in her community. Because of her advocacy for the citizens of Branson, Mayor Best was elected to serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors and as Vice-President of Missouri Mayors United for Progress.