Kris Larson is President and CEO of Central Houston, Inc., where he works with business, civic, and community leaders to advance the continued growth and vitality of Downtown Houston and the city’s urban core. As the former Board Chair of the International Downtown Association and a longtime leader in downtown and place management, his work spans economic development, public space, transportation, planning, advocacy, and the partnerships needed to build strong and resilient city centers.

The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square, one of the world’s most recognizable urban districts. The organization manages public spaces, provides sanitation and public-safety services, supports businesses, produces events and public art, and advocates for the continued vitality of Times Square as a place for New Yorkers, workers, performers, and visitors from around the world.

Tim Tompkins is a longtime leader in urban place management and the founder of SharedCity, a consultancy focused on helping cities and downtown organizations create more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient places. Previously President of the Times Square Alliance, his work spans public space, economic development, arts and culture, placemaking, and the evolving role of downtowns in civic life.

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs works to ensure Downtown Colorado Springs remains the economic, civic, and cultural heart of the region. Through economic development, placemaking, advocacy, events, public-space improvements, and support for local businesses, the organization brings together public and private partners to strengthen a vibrant and welcoming downtown.

Chelsea Gondeck is CEO of the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs, where she works to strengthen Downtown as the economic, civic, and cultural heart of the region. Her work spans placemaking, economic development, mobility, public space, and partnerships, including leading the award-winning transformation of AdAmAn Alley.

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District works to strengthen the heart of Washington, DC as a vibrant, welcoming, and economically thriving urban center. Its work spans public-space management and activation, economic development, hospitality, events, placemaking, and advocacy, bringing together businesses, property owners, residents, and civic partners to support the continued evolution of downtown.

Lukas Umana is Senior Director of Public Space Operations and Activations at the DowntownDC BID, where he leads work to create clean, safe, vibrant, and memorable public spaces. His work brings together placemaking, public art, events, hospitality, and creative partnerships to strengthen Downtown DC and demonstrate the economic and community value of great public-space experiences

Kimberly Bares is President and CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association, representing businesses, property owners, institutions, and attractions along Chicago’s iconic North Michigan Avenue. Her work focuses on economic vitality, placemaking, advocacy, public realm improvements, and strengthening the Magnificent Mile as a vibrant destination for Chicagoans and visitors alike.

Caroline Keesler is part of the team at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, working to support a vibrant, connected, and welcoming Downtown Tampa. Her work includes placemaking, public-space activation, events, and programs that bring people together and strengthen the downtown experience.

Tampa Downtown Partnership works to cultivate a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming downtown through programs focused on economic development, public space, transportation, placemaking, and quality of life. Bringing together businesses, residents, civic partners, and community organizations, the Partnership helps shape Downtown Tampa as a connected and active urban center.

Ivy Lupco is the founder and principal consultant of Third Place Makers, a Tampa-based placemaking practice focused on creating places where people feel connected and belong. Her work spans public-space activation, community engagement, public art, events, and inclusive urban experiences. She also hosts Third Place Makers Talk a podcast exploring the people, projects, and ideas shaping places and communities across the country.

Kristi Clark is City Place Manager with Canberra’s City Renewal Authority, where she works to make the city centre more active, welcoming, and connected. Drawing on a background in events, performance, and community engagement, her work includes placemaking, programming, public-space activation, and supporting the businesses and communities that bring central Canberra to life

Careyann Weinberg is Director of Economic Vitality at the Downtown Norfolk Council, where she leads programs supporting businesses, entrepreneurship, and the continued growth of Downtown Norfolk. Previously the longtime director of Selden Market, an award-winning retail incubator, her work connects small-business development, storefront vitality, placemaking, and community building.

The International Downtown Association’s Emerging Leader Fellowship is a professional development program for rising leaders in the place-management and urban-district field. The intensive program brings together a cohort of professionals from around the world for leadership development, peer learning, and exploration of the complex challenges facing downtowns and urban places.

Beyond the formal program, the Fellowship builds a lasting network of practitioners working across business improvement districts, downtown organizations, economic development, placemaking, and related fields—strengthening both individual leaders and the broader profession.

Sheffia Randall-Nickerson, MBA is currently the Chief Engagement and Collaboration Officer at University Circle Inc., the community service corporation responsible for developing, serving and advocating for University Circle as a vibrant and complete neighborhood. Sheffia also held the positions as President and CEO of the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, a non-profit arts education organization and Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Education at Playhouse Square in the center of the Cleveland Theatre District.

Kate Borders is President of University Circle Inc., the community development organization serving Cleveland’s University Circle district. Her work focuses on strengthening one of the country’s most significant concentrations of cultural, educational, and healthcare institutions through placemaking, economic development, transportation, public space, and community partnerships.

University Circle is a busy cultural hub with institutions like the Cleveland Natural History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, a modern mirrored structure with regularly changing exhibitions. Severance Hall hosts performances by the Cleveland Orchestra, and paths wind past roses and maple trees at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Casual college bars, ramen joints and Asian fusion eateries dot the area.

Kyle Carter is Vice President of Place at the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, where he leads work focused on creating vibrant, welcoming places across the bi-state region of Iowa and Illinois. His work connects downtown development, placemaking, public spaces, arts and culture, and economic vitality to strengthen communities throughout the Quad Cities.

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce works across the bi-state region of Iowa and Illinois to support businesses, strengthen the regional economy, and advance a more vibrant community. Its work spans economic development, business advocacy, talent attraction, placemaking, and initiatives that support the region’s downtowns and commercial districts.

The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego. It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts including the Property and Business Improvement District, otherwise known as the Clean & Safe program, that provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown.