Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Mission Control, a podcast focusing on executive directors and nonprofit leaders and how they strive to make positive impacts in their communities. Today, we’re diving into the inspiring journey of Cathleen Edgerly, the Executive Director of Downtown Lansing Incorporated (DLI).

I’m your host, Paul Schmidt, owner and creative video strategist for Fivities Multimedia. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Cathleen Edgerly. Welcome to the show, Cathleen.

The Mission of Downtown Lansing Inc.

As the show’s name states, it’s called Mission Control. So, let’s begin with Downtown Lansing Inc.’s mission. Cathleen, could you share that mission?

“The mission of Downtown Lansing Inc. is to nurture and cultivate the sustainability and culture of our downtown district.”

Cathleen’s Journey to Executive Director

Cathleen’s journey to becoming the Executive Director of DLI is packed with experiences rich in community engagement and development. She and her parents have lived in Lansing their entire lives. Like many, she initially thought her career would be in advertising and public relations. However, she found a deeper calling through her professional career and volunteer efforts.

“I started getting increasingly involved as a volunteer and a community member, just listening to what was happening in our downtown Lansing community.”

Cathleen came on board as the marketing manager for DLI, and her passion for the community led her to attend a Michigan Main Street Conference. This chance event changed everything, and she fell in love with the mission of Main Street and downtowns across Michigan.

Understanding Main Street

For those unfamiliar, Main Street is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It provides a framework for community and economic development tailored to meet local communities’ unique needs and vision. This framework consists of four main pillars:

– Organization: Behind-the-scenes work, including volunteer management and fund development.
– Promotions: Marketing, events, and storytelling to promote downtown areas.
– Business Development: Tools and programs to support business sustainability.
– Design and Public Spaces: Enhancing the look and feel of downtown spaces to encourage social interaction.

Why Downtown

Leading two municipalities in succession, Cathleen explains her passion for working in downtown settings:

“Ultimately, it comes down to the people and places so invested in their community in numerous ways. They feel that pride. They see a vision. They want to be part of a community.”

The work also allows for immense creativity — from long-range planning and market analysis to event planning and team building.

The Balance of Comfort and Learning

Cathleen’s comfort zone lies in creativity and public relations, but she acknowledges the importance of continual learning. As she puts it, there’s always room for growth, no matter how long you’ve been in a profession.

“It’s a balance of leaning into what you know while continuously learning about areas where you can improve.”

A Time of Transformation: Adapting to the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and rapid transformations. Cathleen started her role in August 2019, only a few months before the pandemic hit. Downtown Lansing, traditionally built around daytime workers’ needs, had to pivot suddenly.

“We knew event focus was not necessarily a sustainable focus. And now it’s so much more about how we extend the hours of operation for our downtown.”

DLI introduced innovative solutions, such as the Lift Up Local Ambassador Program and the night markets, to support local businesses and keep the community engaged.

Lift Local Ambassador Program

One of the standout initiatives during the pandemic was the Lift Up Local Ambassador Program. This program connected residents with local businesses, providing much-needed support and a touch of normalcy during challenging times.

“It started as a campaign, but now it’s more of a mantra.”

Leading by Example

To foster retail and entrepreneurship, DLI moved its office to open a retail incubator program. This not only supported new businesses but also helped extend the hours of operation for downtown shops.

\”Retail can work here. We just needed to create that critical mass again.”

Looking Forward: Building a Resilient Community

Cathleen’s approach has always been about lifting the community. Whether through new business programs, public spaces, or advocating for the downtown on various stages, she emphasizes sustainability and local love.

“We looked at change as an opportunity to build more resiliency, sustainability, and love of local for our downtown communities.”

Reflecting on the Phrase: “There’s Nothing to Do in Lansing”

One common misconception Cathleen frequently encounters is that there’s nothing to do in Lansing.

“We have to be our champions for our community… If we put ourselves to everybody we speak to, including outside audiences, why would they want to buy a home here? Why would they want to own a business and invest here?”

A significant focus for Cathleen and her team has been shifting the narrative to highlight Lansing’s many offerings and foster a sense of pride and positivity within the community.

Personal Balance: How Cathleen Unwinds

Balancing a demanding role with personal well-being is crucial. Cathleen finds time for herself through regular yoga sessions, family trips, and spending time with a circle of trusted friends and family.
“It’s not just a job; it’s a passion and a calling. But taking those breaks to connect with yourself and your family is so important.”

Getting Involved

If you would like to learn more about Downtown Lansing Inc., volunteer opportunities, or support programs, you can visit their website:
Downtown Lansing Inc.

Conclusion

Our conversation with Cathleen Edgerly illuminates the significant efforts being made to build a more connected, resilient, and vibrant downtown Lansing. Her leadership showcases the power of community, creativity, and continual growth in fostering sustainable development.

Stay Tuned

Thank you all for tuning into Mission Control. If you have suggestions for future guests or topics, please email us at missioncontrol@intuce.com. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform and leave us a review. See you next time in the control center!