Lindsey Payne Johnstone Selected for National Emerging Leader Fellowship
May 28, 2025
Bellingham, WA – May 28, 2025 - 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.”
“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.”
Contact:
Jenny Hagemann, Development and Communications Director
jenny@downtownbellingham.com, (360) 527-8710
