DTI president named 2022 International Downtown Association Fellow

Rhiannon Friedman, president of Downtown Topeka Inc., was recently selected as a 2022 International Downtown Association Fellow, becoming one of only 30 urban-place-management professionals from across the country to take part in this year’s fellowship program.

Downtown association fellows include professionals who have been identified as future leaders in the urban-place-management field. The 30 fellows chosen for the association’s 2022 cohort will travel to New York City in June to take part in “the most robust and significant professional development experience ever offered by the International Downtown Association,” the IDA noted in its acceptance letter.

“I’m honored to be chosen for the fellowship and look forward to connecting this summer with talented peers from across the country,” Friedman said. “I’m excited to bring what I learn back to Topeka, to help ensure our downtown corridor and capital city thrive well into the future and become models for exceptional community development.”

The IDA fellows’ professional development experience, which kicks off June 5, is expected to broaden their understandings of urban place management, introduce them to thought leaders in the industry, connect them with experts and peers in a small-group environment, and much more.

“I’m proud, but not surprised, to see Rhiannon selected for this fellowship program,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “I can’t think of a more deserving professional to take part in IDA’s 2022 class and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes because of this incredible opportunity. This is a win not just for Rhiannon, but for downtown Topeka and our entire capital-city community.”