As the wife of Missouri’s 57^th Governor Mike Parson, Teresa Parson brings to her role as First Lady the experience of being a mother, grandmother, businesswoman, volunteer, and advocate. After working 40 years in the banking industry, the First Lady retired to continue serving her community. During her career, she served on the boards of the 30th Circuit Juvenile Detention Center, A+ Program, Industrial Development Authority, Bolivar Educational Advancement Foundation, Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The First Lady is currently serving as a board member on the Missouri State Fair Foundation which is dedicated to cultivating the future of agriculture through preservation and education.

Like her husband, First Lady Parson has a strong commitment to education. She and Governor Parson work with at-risk high schoolers as co-chairs of the Board of Directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates-Missouri, Inc. (JAG-Missouri). Together they highlight the importance of education to the next generation of leaders, as well as financial literacy and money management. The First Lady is also a dedicated advocate for special needs children, making Missourians more aware of the role these children can play in society when given the opportunities.

During her first year as First Lady, she responded to a request from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, working with Second Lady Claudia Kehoe to reinstate the Missouri Mentorship Initiative, allowing 300 Missouri state employees to mentor students.

In 2022, First Lady Parson established the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a non-profit organization to benefit children across our state. 

As First Lady, Teresa has made the Governor’s Mansion, which she calls the People’s House, more accessible to the public through a variety of events and special occasions.

First Lady Parson is the proud mother of two children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. When in her hometown of Bolivar, where she grew up on a cattle farm with her three brothers, the First Lady spends time with her lifelong friends and worships as a member at the First Baptist Church.