IDA’s program cohort from 27 cities to learn essential leadership and place management skills
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) is proud to announce that Executive Director Lindsey Payne Johnstone has been selected as one of the urban place managers for the 2025 International Downtown Association (IDA) Emerging Leader Fellowship (ELF) program. Through a competitive selection process, IDA selected 27 of the industry’s brightest senior staff professionals from 15 states and provinces around North America including Philadelphia, PA; Charlotte, NC; Cleveland, OH; Austin, TX; Boulder, CO; Lethbridge, AB; Bellingham, WA; San Fransico, CA. Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide.
“I’m truly honored and excited to be part of this inspiring network and selected cohort,” said Johnstone. “I look forward to learning from peers across the country and bringing new ideas, strategies, and energy back to Downtown Bellingham.”
The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a week-long experiential program bringing together a cohort of IDA professionals from within the urban district management industry. The fellows learn essential leadership and place management skills and gain practical tools in the areas of place-based economic development, the live-work-play experience, and public-private partnerships.
The program takes place June 8-13, 2025, in New York City. Professionals from several place management organizations across the city provide technical in-the-field training. The event takes place at various locations throughout Manhattan with field visits provided by several local business improvement district (BID) leaders.
“The success of our Fellowship program underscores how critical this training is to our growing industry,” said David Downey, President & CEO of IDA. “This is the only program of its kind created specifically for urban place management professionals. IDA is looking to further illustrate the importance of our industry by elevating leaders with the necessary skills to champion inclusive city building. Professional development remains a hallmark of IDA.”
About the Downtown Bellingham Partnership
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership works to enhance, promote, and advocate for a vibrant city center in Downtown Bellingham. For more information on the Partnership and upcoming events please visit www.downtownbellingham.com or call 360-527-8710.
About the International Downtown Association
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit downtown.org. For specific information about the ELF program, visit downtown.org/emerging-leader-fellowship-cohort
