LITTLE ROCK – After more than six years of dedicated service to the City of Little Rock, Chief of Staff Kendra Pruitt will transition from her role in city government to pursue new leadership opportunities that expand her impact beyond the capital city. Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. praised Pruitt for her transformative contributions to the administration and her steadfast commitment to advancing people-powered policies, efficiency, and excellence in public service.

“I often say, ‘Kendra Pruitt is my left AND right brain,’” Mayor Scott said. “From advising on my campaign for Mayor to developing and implementing our policy platform — and eventually leading day-to-day operations at City Hall — she has been an integral part of my success. Her legal prowess and strategic thinking supported our campaign and later advised how we governed for over six years. She built strong teams that led to greater efficiency, collaborated with stakeholders to create strong relationships, and pursued positive outcomes for every initiative we undertook. She ensured we moved the ball down the field with intentional execution and deliberate haste to bring results for our residents. We are grateful for her steadfast servant leadership.”

Pruitt joined the Mayor’s administration in 2019 as Senior Advisor and Chief Strategy Officer, the first appointment under Mayor Scott’s tenure. In that role, she led the development and execution of the Mayor’s policy agenda. In 2022, she was promoted to Chief of Staff, where she oversaw strategic operations, internal coordination, and delivery of city services across departments.

Throughout her tenure, Pruitt worked at the intersection of business, government, and community — building coalitions, driving cross-sector initiatives, and championing a people-centered approach to policy and service.

“My time in Little Rock has been the most rewarding chapter of my career,” said Pruitt. “It has been an honor to help shape the vision, policies, and operations of a city I deeply love. Now, I’m stepping into a new calling — one that allows me to take the lessons learned, the expertise built, and the passion I carry into communities beyond Little Rock. I’m grateful to Mayor Scott for his unwavering trust and leadership, and I look forward to continuing to serve in ways that uplift people, strengthen systems, and drive impact at scale.”

Mayor Scott also announced that Joycelin Randle will serve as the new Chief of Staff for the City of Little Rock, starting May 5, 2025. A public servant and community connector, Randle is the daughter of Marvin Benton, a Little Rock firefighter hero and retired City of Little Rock parking services manager. Most recently, she served as Senior Manager for Investor Relations and Stakeholder Engagement for Southern Bancorp, bringing with her a deep understanding of economic development and stakeholder strategy. Ms. Randle is a lifelong North Little Rock resident and will relocate to Little Rock for this role.

“Joycelin Randle is a proven leader who understands operations and the power of partnerships,” said Mayor Scott. “I’m excited to welcome her to the team.”