Meyer has experience working with municipalities and other organizations on technology solutions, policy, strategy, implementation and data analysis, the partnership said.
“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’s board of trustees.
Before working for altafiber, Meyer served for nine years as the executive director of Renaissance Covington, which is focused on revitalizing the historic downtown of Covington, Kentucky.
In a prepared statement, Meyer said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Downtown Dayton Partnership during such an exciting time in Dayton’s history.”
“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,” she added.
Meyer won over the partnership’s search committee because of her 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 17 years and believe that Katie brings the right combination of skills and knowledge to work with the staff and volunteers to continue our progress,” he said.
Meyer is expected to join the Downtown Dayton Partnership on Sept. 5.
She earned a master of science degree in urban policy analysis and management from the New School in New York City, and she earned a B.A. in political science and journalism from the University of Kentucky. She serves on the board of directors of Heritage Ohio, the YWCA Dayton, Boys and Girls Club of Dayton and NKY Pride.
Gudorf was selected to be the permanent president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership in spring 2007. She began working for the organization in 1992.
Gudorf has been a collaborative leader who was a visionary and who also knew how to develop attainable strategies for downtown that would get results, Meixner told this newspaper.
Gudorf positioned the partnership for continued success, and her successor has a strong team in place and good plans underway that should help build on the relationships Gudorf and her staff created, Meixner said.
“The new leader will have the opportunity to serve as both an inheritor of this progress and as someone whose experiences may offer new insights into all of the opportunities still ahead for downtown,” he said. “Throughout the search process, we have looked for someone who can bring similar qualities of leadership and collaboration alongside new perspectives to continue the work Sandy has started.”
Gudorf told the Dayton Daily News she tried to be a facilitator who ensured everyone who wanted a space at the table was included and had a voice.
She said downtown still has some challenges, such as the significant amount of office space that has been vacated since the start of the COVID pandemic, as many people shifted to working from home.
Gudorf said the best advice she can give the partnership’s new leader is to meet with as many of downtown’s stakeholders as possible and really listen to what they have to say about their hopes, aspirations and challenges.
Gudorf said part of the job is “building a coalition.” Some of her supporters say she never took “no” for an answer when she had a goal or plan for improving downtown.
Gudorf said, “I laugh quite often when people say ‘describe what you do,’ because, it’s like well, I’m kind of a professional pest. You keep trying to move projects forward ... slowly but surely, just keeping moving things forward.”
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