Don Lane is a longtime Santa Cruz civic leader, educator, and advocate whose work spans downtown recovery, housing and homelessness, local government, and community development. A three-time mayor, his decades of public service reflect the unusually interconnected nature of civic life in Santa Cruz.

Sheila Foster is a leading scholar of cities, democracy, and the urban commons. Her work explores how communities share responsibility for the public spaces, institutions, and resources that shape everyday life—and how collective stewardship can make cities more equitable, democratic, and inclusive.

Judy Scott Feldman has spent more than two decades championing the National Mall as America's premier civic gathering place. As founder of the National Mall Coalition, she has worked to protect the Mall's historic legacy while advocating for its continued evolution as a place where future generations can gather, commemorate, celebrate, and participate in American democracy.

Her work reminds us that preserving great public spaces isn't about freezing them in time—it's about ensuring they remain meaningful, accessible, and relevant for the publics still to come.

Anthropologist and urban scholar whose influential work explores public space, culture, access, belonging, and the ways social and political life are embedded in the built environment.

The National Mall Coalition advocates for comprehensive, forward-looking stewardship of America’s most prominent civic gathering place. Bringing together preservationists, planners, educators, and citizens, it works to ensure the National Mall remains vital, accessible, and capable of serving future generations.

In On the Plaza, anthropologist Setha Low explores how culture, politics, history, and everyday social life shape public plazas—and how plazas, in turn, shape the life of cities. Her research centers on Costa Rica while drawing comparisons with public spaces around the world.

Co-Cities explores new models of urban governance based on collaboration and shared stewardship. Drawing on examples from cities around the world, Sheila Foster and Christian Iaione examine how communities, governments, businesses, and civic institutions can collectively manage urban resources and services.

Drawing on decades of ethnographic research around the world, Setha Low examines how public spaces contribute to belonging, social connection, justice, and democratic life—and why the everyday experience of plazas, parks, markets, beaches, and sidewalks matters to individual and collective flourishing.

Marian Anderson’s 1939 concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 after she was denied Constitution Hall because of her race. The performance became a defining example of public space expanding who could gather, belong, and be seen as part of “We the People.”

Michael Edwards led the Chicago Loop Alliance from November 2012 to March 2026. The Chicago 'Loop' is America's iconic downtown. Chicago Loop Alliance creates, manages and promotes high performing urban experiences attracting people and investment. Critical accomplishments include a (2) new 5 year strategic action plans, comprehensive street team program, activation of under-performing public spaces, post pandemic Sundays on State and a renewed leadership role in Chicago.

Kathleen Rawson is a place management professional with more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public space management, placemaking, and hospitality. Rawson currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for The Hollywood Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages the Hollywood Entertainment District, including the world-renowned Walk of Fame. Before her new role in Hollywood, Rawson served as CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) from 1997 to 2022.

The Hollywood Partnership is a non-profit organization that manages the public realm within the Hollywood Entertainment District (HED), which is a Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID). Simply, this means that the organization is funded by property owners within the district to provide enhanced services to promote the cleanliness, safety, beautification, and economic vitality of our neighborhood.

Our official mission is to enhance the appeal, vitality, and well-being of the Hollywood Community from the ground up.

Our vision is a Hollywood where experiences EXCEED expectations!

Chicago Loop Alliance represents the vibrant community and businesses that energize the Loop, making it a thriving neighborhood for all who visit, live, or work here.

Through programs, cultural initiatives, and partnerships, Chicago Loop Alliance brings people, investment, and opportunity to the Loop. As a member-based organization, we connect leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the nation’s largest central business district outside of Midtown Manhattan. Together with our affiliate, Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation, we create free cultural experiences that bring the neighborhood to life.

Allegheny County is always looking for ways to use the Sister Bridges’ lights to enhance their beauty and make them shine during major events Downtown and on the North Shore. So, we were proud to partner with the NFL to create special lighting displays for the draft.

GBD Innovation Club is an international network bringing together the organizations, public authorities, business leaders, and experts responsible for some of the world’s major business districts. Built around the idea that global business districts face many of the same challenges—from economic competitiveness and changing patterns of work to sustainability, public realm, mobility, and the evolving role of central business districts—the Club creates a forum for sharing knowledge, comparing approaches, and developing new models for urban districts.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership — A nonprofit organization working to enhance and advance Downtown Pittsburgh as a vibrant, welcoming, and economically strong neighborhood. Through clean and safe services, public-space activation, events, marketing, advocacy, and economic development, the Partnership brings together businesses, residents, property owners, and civic partners to support the vitality of the city’s urban core.

World Business Chicago — Chicago’s public-private economic development agency, working to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation across the city and greater Chicagoland region. Its work spans business attraction and expansion, workforce development, innovation, research, and regional partnerships, while promoting Chicago as a global destination for business and investment.

Main Street America — A national network supporting community-led revitalization and the people working to strengthen downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Through the Main Street Approach, training, research, technical assistance, and a network of local programs, Main Street America helps communities build stronger local economies, preserve distinctive places, and create vibrant, welcoming centers of community life.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen Jamestown, New York, through neighborhood revitalization, downtown development, and community engagement. Working alongside residents, businesses, and local partners, JRC supports projects and programs that improve public spaces, encourage investment, and build a more vibrant and connected community.

The Magnificent Mile Association — A membership organization representing Chicago’s iconic North Michigan Avenue district. The Association brings together businesses, property owners, residents, and civic partners to support the district through advocacy, marketing, events, economic development, and efforts to keep the Magnificent Mile a vibrant destination for Chicagoans and visitors alike.