Jack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, is among 30 downtown leaders to be chosen for the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) 2023 Emerging Leader Fellowship program.
The new IDA class includes senior staff members from 25 cities across North America including Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Houston; Denver; Cleveland, Ohio; and Rock Island.
Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship (ELF) program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide.
Mr. Cullen spearheaded the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce’s partnership with the City of Rock Island to recently create the dedicated Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA). The Augustana College alum works closely with public officials and downtown stakeholders, including the RIDA Board of Directors, to manage the Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) and provide place management services for the betterment of downtown Rock Island.
“The success of our Fellowship program underscores how critical this training is to our growing industry,” David Downey, IDA’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “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 ELF 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.
“This is an incredible opportunity from IDA, and it could not have come at a better time as we look to make a positive impact in downtown Rock Island through our new place management organization,” Mr. Cullen said in the chamber’s release. “I am eager to connect with downtown leaders from across North America and bring industry best practices back to the Quad Cities.”
The fellowship will be June 4-9 in New York City. Professionals from several place management organizations across the city provide technical in-the-field training. It is held at various locations throughout Manhattan with field visits provided by local Business Improvement District leaders.
“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 Mr. Downey. “With this program, we’re educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
For more on Mr. Cullen’s place management efforts in Rock Island visit Downtown Rock Island’s website. For more information about the ELF fellows, visit IDA’s website.
