The Downtown Denver Partnership recently announced that Kourtny Garrett will lead the organization as CEO beginning in January 2022. Garrett will join the Partnership from Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI), where she has served as president and CEO for nearly six years.
In August, the Partnership’s current President and CEO Tami Door, announced that she would step away from her role after 17 years leading the organization.
At DDI, Garrett has worked on the revitalization of Downtown Dallas for nearly two decades, a period that includes more than $11 billion of investment, public-private partnerships that have brought more than 40 vacant buildings back to life, and a steady rise in residents from just a few hundred to more than 13,000.
Garrett, originally from Colorado was selected from over 400 candidates through a national executive search under the leadership of Downtown Denver Partnership Management Group Board Chair Sarah Rockwell and a search committee, led by immediate past board chair, Mike Zoellner.
“Bringing Kourtny on as our CEO marks an exciting new chapter in the Downtown Denver Partnership’s history and means great things for our center city as we look ahead,” said Rockwell, “Kourtny brings unique and robust experience in place-based economic development and under her leadership, she will continue our organization’s strong legacy as a national leader in citybuilding.”
“I am honored to be selected as the next leader of the Downtown Denver Partnership, bringing me back to Denver and a special place for my family,” said Garrett. “I am passionate about the power and importance of cities in driving economic development, innovation, and vibrancy, and I look forward to building on Tami and her team’s incredible work making Downtown Denver a place for all people.”
Garrett will assume her role in early January of 2022, shortly after Door departs the organization.