Cathleen Edgerly serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan’s Downtown with Lansing’s downtown management agency, Downtown Lansing Inc. Cathleen is a well-known community connector and leader in downtown advocacy, serving in rural and urban downtowns for the past 15 years. With this she adds extensive practitioner and presenter experience - sharing the powerful role placemaking has in economic development. In 2023 Cathleen was selected to be a part of a cohort of 20 downtown development professionals from around the country taking part in an intensive week-long fellowship program in NYC, where she earned her Downtown Leadership certificate from the International Downtown Association.Over the past 6 years, Cathleen and her team in Downtown Lansing have been focusing on ways to innovate and transform Michigan’s Downtown as DLI nurtures and supports the people and places who are part of the Downtown Lansing district. This work includes recruiting and retaining businesses that are representative of the entire State of Michigan, fostering more commercial and residential infill development, and championing a more accessible and equitable downtown experience where residents, neighbors, and visitors alike feel a sense of welcome, inclusion, and opportunity. Cathleen is currently completing work and testing to receive her Economic Developer certification. Cathleen spends her down time reading, singing in choir, volunteering, practicing yoga, shuttling her 2 kids to various teen activities, and adventuring with family and friends.