|
“In her five years working for the DowntownDC BID, Rachel has helped alter the face of our organization with her innovative and creative approach and her leadership,” said Albert. “I’m excited that, after having established herself as a major asset for our organization, she’ll be broadening that role on behalf of our shared DowntownDC community.”
The DowntownDC Foundation 501(c)3 was reinvigorated last year to support the BID’s major philanthropic efforts: the redevelopment of Franklin Park, a National Park Service site that the BID will operate and manage following its reopening; homeless services and the new Downtown Day Services Center, which connects guests to a wide range of services within a single access point; public space improvements and revitalization, including additional parks and plazas in DowntownDC; and public art and community programming.
“The important efforts and activities of the DowntownDC BID will be elevated and expanded through the work of the DowntownDC Foundation,” said Hartman. “I’m looking forward to building this new organization and creating even more positive change in DowntownDC.”
In her previous role as Director of Interactive Marketing & Communications, Hartman led all marketing and branding, events, programming and communications efforts for the BID, and created with her team a fruitful partnership and sponsorship pipeline to support the BID’s mission and activities. Rachel first joined the BID in January 2014 after 12 years in political journalism, including as White House Reporter and Political Reporter for Yahoo News, and as a daily politics reporter for Congressional Quarterly covering downballot races. Her work has appeared in national and international publications including The Guardian, the Daily Beast and other outlets.
In 2017, Rachel was awarded an Emerging Leader Fellowship from the International Downtown Association. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Rachel holds a B.A. in print journalism from American University.
The DowntownDC Foundation is governed by a board of directors, which currently includes: Albert, serving as Board Chairman; Rafael Etzion, Principal of Metro Shipping LLC; Gregory Leinweber, General Manager for Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC; Lionel L. Lynch, Executive Director of Community Investment Economic Initiatives for JPMorgan Chase & Co; Barbara S. McDuffie, Managing Director of Business Development for Baker Tilly; R. Donahue Peebles III, Director of Development for The Peebles Corporation; Stan Wall, Partner at HR&A Advisors Inc.; and Gigi Webb Murphy, Director of Business Development for Gensler. Development Consultant Stela Patron will continue to work for the DowntownDC Foundation.
To learn more about the DowntownDC Foundation’s mission and how to get involved, please visit downtowndcfoundation.org.