Downtown Cleveland Inc.’s Audrey Gerlach Named to Emerging Leader Fellowship Program
Audrey Gerlach, Vice President of Economic Development & Chief of Staff for Downtown Cleveland, Inc. is one of 30 industry professionals selected for the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) 2023 Emerging Leader Fellowship program. These senior staff members hail from 25 cities around North America, including Washington, DC; San Diego, CA; Moncton, NB; Davenport, IA; Cleveland, OH; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; and Winnipeg, MB. Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide.
Gerlach has served the executive office of Downtown Cleveland, Inc. since 2019 and is responsible for coordinating economic development initiatives on behalf of the organization. Her team’s public policy advocacy and market research drive business attraction, real estate development, and investment to the core. Their focus is to strengthen Downtown Cleveland’s position as the region’s economic engine by expanding retail offerings, attracting office-based employers, and advancing visionary capital improvements.
“The success of our Fellowship program underscores how critical this training is to our growing industry,” said David Downey, President and 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.”
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.
“I’m honored to be selected for this amazing opportunity and to collaborate with some of the industry’s best from downtowns across the U.S. and beyond,” said Gerlach. “Downtown Cleveland, Inc. is the only organization focused solely on strengthening and building Downtown – the heart of Cleveland itself. Through IDA, we identify best practices that are working elsewhere as well as share what we are building right here in our city center.”
“The International Downtown Association is looking to build the future of our industry, and these accomplished executives are the rising stars of our profession,” said Downey. “With this program, we’re educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
The program takes place June 4-9, 2023, in New York City at various locations throughout Manhattan, with field visits provided by several local business improvement district leaders. Professionals from several place management organizations across the city provide technical in-the-field training.
Congratulations to the 2023 Emerging Leader Fellowship cohort!