For information:
Dan Meixner, 937-461-3740 ext. 202, dmeixner@cjeagles.org
Jeffrey Mims, Jr., 937-333-3636, jeffrey.mimsjr@daytonohio.gov
August 14, 2023 (DAYTON, Ohio) — The Board of Trustees of the Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) announced today the selection of Katie Meyer as the organization’s next president. Meyer succeeds Sandy Gudorf, who served the organization and the downtown Dayton community for more than 30 years, the last 17 as president.
“Katie Meyer has spent her career developing solutions to social and economic needs in cities,” said Jeffrey Mims, mayor of the City of Dayton and co-chair of the Downtown Dayton Partnership Board of Trustees. “We are excited that she has chosen to join the DDP and help accelerate the positive momentum downtown Dayton has experienced over the last decade.”
Meyer has served since 2019 as the policy and program manager for UniCity, altafiber’s smart city division based out of Dayton. In this role, she has worked with municipalities and organizations on technology solutions, policy, strategy, implementation, and data analysis.
Prior to joining altafiber, she served for nine years as the executive director of Renaissance Covington, where she promoted the economic revitalization of Covington, Kentucky’s historic downtown through business attraction, cultural vibrancy, and creative placemaking. Under her leadership, more than $150 million was invested in property rehabilitation, 20+ businesses opened each year, and Covington’s downtown housing inventory skyrocketed. Additionally, Renaissance Covington received several awards, including the Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America for the organization’s preservation-based revitalization efforts, Main Street Program to Watch, Out of the Box Business Award, Community Champion, International Recognition for Running of the Goats, and Corporate Tech and Innovation.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Downtown Dayton Partnership during such an exciting time in Dayton’s history,” Meyer said. “I already have a deep love and appreciation for the Dayton community and look forward to building on the organization’s momentum towards social and economic vibrancy alongside the staff and many dedicated stakeholders.”
“The search committee and the people she met during the interview process loved Katie’s experience, energy, connections to the region, and commitment to the urban experience,” said Dan Meixner, president of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School and co-chair of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “We have been blessed by the leadership and service of Sandy Gudorf over the last seventeen years and believe that Katie brings the right combination of skills and knowledge to work with the staff and volunteers to continue our progress.”
Meyer earned her M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School in New York City. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Kentucky. In 2022, altafiber selected her for the Boost Leadership Award for her community impact in Dayton. In 2017, she was named Emerging Leader at the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky awards and in 2015, the Next Generation Leader award from Legacy Young Professionals.
Currently, Katie serves on and leads a variety of community initiatives across the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati/Dayton region. Katie is on the Board of Directors of Heritage Ohio, YWCA Dayton, Boys and Girls Club of Dayton, and NKY Pride. Katie is the Chair of the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky program through the NKY Chamber. She also volunteers on the development committees of Esperanza Latino Center and the Life Learning Center in Covington.
In 2015, Katie co-authored Walking Cincinnati: 32 Walking Tours Exploring Historic Neighborhoods, Stunning Riverfront Quarters, and Hidden Treasures in the Queen City. Her book features 2- to 3-mile walks through Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods highlighting history, small business, and culture. The second edition was released in May of 2019.
The selection of Katie Meyer is the result of an extensive national and local search for the next DDP president, overseen by a search committee of the DDP Board of Trustees with input from community leaders, partners, and DDP staff. Meyer’s proven track record, experience, skills, personality, knowledge, and energy made her the search committee’s choice among a strong pool of candidates. She is expected to join the DDP on September 5.
For more information about the Downtown Dayton Partnership, visit downtowndayton.org.
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