HATTIESBURG, MISS. (Feb. 10, 2025) – Following an extensive search process, the Downtown Hattiesburg Association (DHA) has announced Emily Gallaspy as its next executive director. Gallaspy, a Hattiesburg resident with a proven record of leadership in community development, grant writing, and arts advocacy, will officially begin her new role on Monday, March 3, 2025. She succeeds Andrea Saffle, who served as DHA’s executive director for 10 years before retiring in December 2024.
Gallaspy brings nearly a decade of experience in arts and community engagement, previously serving as the Arts Center Manager and Parks and Recreation Grant Writer for the City of Hattiesburg. During her tenure, she secured over $1 million in state and federal funding for local initiatives, managed major revitalization projects, and led arts programming that positioned the city as a cultural destination. Gallaspy’s contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2024 Pine Belt 20 Under 40 and honors from the Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association.
“We are thrilled to welcome Emily as our next executive director,” said DHA Board President Anna Rush. “Her experience in public art, grant writing, and place-based development perfectly aligns with the vision outlined in our Downtown Roadmap Plan. Emily’s leadership will be essential as we continue to grow and sustain the momentum in our downtown district.”
Gallaspy will lead the implementation of DHA’s multi-year Downtown Roadmap, unveiled last year, which focuses on business recruitment, public art, revitalization, and place-based marketing.
“Emily has been a key contributor to Hattiesburg’s creative growth over the past few years,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker. “She set a high standard of professionalism as manager of the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, and her organizational abilities and resourcefulness proved vital as we pursued and won grants for facilities and programming. I look forward to seeing her leadership continue to develop in this new role for all of downtown.”
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Gallaspy holds a Master of Science in Economic Development and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member of the Piney Woods Conservation Group and past president of the Hattiesburg Arts Council.
“I’m excited to step into this role and build on the incredible work of those who came before me,” said Gallaspy. “Downtown Hattiesburg is a special place, and I’m committed to fostering growth, revitalization, and collaboration as we implement the Downtown Roadmap Plan.”
DHA will announce additional details soon, including its annual meeting set for late March 2025.
For more information about the Downtown Hattiesburg Association and its initiatives, visit downtownhattiesburg.com.
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About Downtown Hattiesburg Association:
The Downtown Hattiesburg Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization, promotion, and economic development of Hattiesburg’s historic downtown district. Through community collaboration and innovative initiatives, the organization works to enhance the quality of life for residents and create a vibrant environment for businesses, arts, and culture.