Rosalynn Bliss is the City of Grand Rapids’ Mayor. The first female mayor in the city’s history, she was re-elected for a second term in November 2019. Bliss also is serving as the Frederik Meijer Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Grand Valley’s Frederik Meijer Honors College.
Bliss currently serves on the boards of the Downtown Development Authority, Experience Grand Rapids, Convention Arena Authority, Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, Housing Kent, National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families, Urban Core Mayors, City Business Collaborative, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids and the Interurban Transit Partnership.
Bliss has been frequently recognized locally and statewide for her commitment, dedication, and work in the field of child abuse and neglect and for her leadership in the community. This includes from Michigan Women Forward, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Crain’s Business, and Grand Rapids Business Journal.
Bliss earned bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Alabama and a master’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University.