Leirion's Experience
Let’s keep Lincoln growing and thriving
Leirion Gaylor Baird is the daughter of two public school teachers. She worked her way through college and graduated from Yale University. She currently lives in Lincoln’s Near South neighborhood with her husband, Scott, and their three children.
Leirion Gaylor Baird was sworn in as the 52nd mayor Lincoln, Nebraska on May 20, 2019. She previously served as an at-large member of the Lincoln City Council for six years, during which time she was recognized both locally and nationally for her work. In 2016, she received the Inspire Award for Excellence in Government Service and was one of 24 state and local elected officials from across the country awarded a Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership by the Aspen Institute. In 2014, she was selected as one of 12 leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL, a national network of pro-growth state and local elected leaders.
"[Leirion's] experiences deepened her commitment to smart, sustainable urban growth that promotes economic opportunity and enhances our health, safety, and quality of life."
Prior to becoming an elected official, Mayor Gaylor Baird served on the Lincoln and Lancaster County Planning Commission. The mayor began her career as a management consultant, helping Fortune 500 companies become more efficient. She also worked as a city budget and policy analyst and as the director of a Boys and Girls Club founded to improve educational outcomes for children from low-income families. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Mayors and Metro Universities Task Force of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is one of forty-one mayors from around the globe participating in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Locally, she serves on the Lincoln Community Foundation Board, the University of Nebraska President’s Advisory Council, and the Board of Trustees for Mourning Hope.