Our Vision
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Founded in 1954, the International Downtown Association is a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Through its network of diverse practitioners, its rich body of knowledge, and its unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA provides tools, intelligence and strategies for creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities and regions of the world.
Tracie Clemmer
Director of Corporate Relations
Tracie joined the IDA team in January 2007 and developed the sponsorship and exhibit programs. She enjoys connecting members with partners of IDA. Her attention was refocused in 2015 to offer the private sector new opportunities to engage with those leading urban revitalization efforts. Developing corporate partnerships enables growth and provides members with valuable resources to keep cities thriving. Prior to joining IDA, Tracie was a research specialist and led the information-gathering effort to build particular legal practice areas and provided strategic planning services to law firms considering a merger or expansion. Tracie is a proud Roanoke College alum who loves to travel with her family.
Clay Daneker
Research Manager
Clay joined the IDA team in February of 2022. He joins the in-house research efforts of IDA on various projects supporting the place management industry, including Value of Downtowns and the IDA Salary Survey. Before joining IDA, Clay was Senior Associate with the Urban Land Institute’s Center for Real Estate Economics, and prior to that was a Research Associate with CoStar Group, where he got his start in the real estate field. Clay has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Georgetown University. In his free time, he enjoys reading and visiting National Parks.
Carolyn Dellutri, CAE, CTP, CMSM
Director of Professional Development
Carolyn joined the IDA team to lead professional development programs and ensure place management resources, services, and events meet the needs of IDA’s diverse membership. Prior to joining IDA, Carolyn worked as the Senior Director of Programs and Services for the National Main Street Center and was the Executive Director of three downtown programs in the Chicago region over the past 15 years. Carolyn received her certification through the National Main Street Center and is a Certified Tourism Professional through the National Tour Association. She is also a graduate of the International Economic Development Council certification program. Carolyn and her husband Tom live in Evanston, Illinois. They enjoy exploring downtowns and finding unique, local, one-of-a-kind businesses.
Sidney Davis
Communications & Marketing Manager
Sidney joined IDA in January of 2023. Sidney received his B.F.A in Theatre, Communication and Media Arts and B.A. in Musical Theatre from Georgia Southwestern State University. He attended Louisiana Tech University for his M.A., where he studied Communications and Public Relations. In his 10-plus years of association marketing experience, he led the marketing for events for various associations, directed the Small Colleges Public Information Campaign, and led the initiative for the National College Fair Program. In his spare time, Sidney is a company member of a regional theatre located in Maryland and plays saxophone for a local orchestra.
Emma Dorado
Membership Services Coordinator
Emma joined IDA in May 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Studies from Nueva Granada Military University in Bogota, Colombia. After university, Emma interned at the Colombo Chilean Chamber of Commerce in Bogota. Before joining IDA, Emma worked in the education field as an Admission Officer. She is pursuing her Master of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Baltimore. She loves to cook, hike, and travel to new places in her free time.
David T. Downey, IOM, CAE, Assoc. AIA
President & CEO
As President and Chief Executive Officer, David is responsible for the overall strategic positioning of IDA as a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Prior to joining IDA, David served as the Managing Director for the American Institute of Architects’ Urban Design Center and as Executive Director for the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association. David has been a city advocate since the 1980s having received his degree in Architecture and Design with a focus on Urban Design. He speaks frequently throughout North America and has delivered talks in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, El Salvador and Japan. David has served on numerous not for profit boards over his career including recently for the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District in Washington, DC and the Responsible Hospitality Institute in California. David is currently on the Mobility Innovation District Advisory Board in Southwest Washington, DC.
Andrew Goldberg
Government Affairs (U.S.)
Andrew Goldberg founded Agora, a government relations consulting firm, in 2018. He served as a top legislative aide to key members of Congress. After managing government and media relations for a British healthcare association, Andrew led government relations at the American Institute of Architects, pushing several landmark bills to enactment.
Cathy Lin, AICP
Director of Research
Cathy joined the IDA team in June 2018. She leads in-house research efforts to provide the most up-to-date information about IDA member organizations and the place management industry, including working with the Board of Directors and IDA’s members to strategize research goals and directives. Prior to joining IDA, Cathy was a project manager at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, and a planner on the strategic research team at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore. Cathy has a Master in Urban Planning from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Geography from Northwestern University. In her spare time, she enjoys tasting new types of food, exploring neighborhoods and attempting to learn more languages.
Allison Shashok
Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Operations
Prior to joining the IDA team in 2017, Allison worked for a hospitality company in Los Angeles overseeing media relations, community outreach and design. She was a member of the board of directors and the marketing committee for the Old Pasadena Management District and was actively engaged with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. After working as IDA’s Marketing & Communications Manager for over two years, Allison became the Director of Membership & Marketing working to develop strategic membership growth and retention programs, and overseeing member services. As of January 2022, she now serves as Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Operations for the association. Allison holds Communications and English Literature degrees from Boston University. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring cities around the world and volunteering at the local animal shelter.
Lul Teklit
Meeting Planner
Lul joined the IDA team in April 2019, working closely with the team to plan, implement and support IDA programs and events. Prior to joining the team, Lul worked for a meeting planning company, solely focusing on healthcare/global pharmaceutical companies in Indianapolis, IN. She worked as the project executive, in conjunction with project managers, to complete multiple meetings and events in line with the lifecycle of a drug. Lul graduated from Indiana University in Indianapolis with a B.S. in Human Resources and Business Management, with an Event Management Certificate. Being able to travel for work, Lul has been able to attend a true flamenco show in Madrid, execute a meeting at the New York Stock Exchange for the closing bell, climb to the top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and watch the Eiffel tower illuminate at night to name a few!
