Downtown Spokane Partnership Staff
The Downtown Spokane Partnership is dedicated to the creation of a dynamic, safe, vital, livable and sustainable downtown as the basis of an economically healthy region.
The Team
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Emilie Cameron, LPM
President & CEO
ContactHailing from Sacramento, California, prior to joining the Downtown Spokane Partnership, Cameron held the role of Vice President for Sacramento’s top public relations/public affairs agency, Randle Communications. Cameron championed catalytic downtown projects and the revitalization of Sacramento’s urban core as District Affairs & Development Director at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership from 2015 to 2021 where she worked closely with property and business owners and stakeholders overseeing the organization’s growing public policy, economic development, external affairs, public relations and marketing programs.
Cameron graduated from the University of California, Davis. Named one of Sacramento’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2012, she has been a constant advocate for the local business community. Cameron served as 1st Vice Chair on the California Downtown Association board of directors and was a member of the ULI Sacramento Women in Leadership Committee and Greater Sacramento Regional Council for Make-A-Wish Northeastern and Central California and Northern Nevada. A past participant in the International Downtown Association’s Emerging Leader Program and Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber’s Catalyst Leadership Program, Cameron also previously served on the Sacramento Metro Chamber board of directors and ULI Sacramento executive board. In 2014, she was named Volunteer of the Year by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and PR Professional of the Year by the Sacramento Public Relations Association.
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Paul Lower
Vice President of Safe & Clean Programs
ContactPaul is new to Spokane, having recently moved from Orlando, Florida, but he already loves the city and the surrounding area. He has earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and is a licensed real estate broker. Paul has abundant experience in both residential property management and school facilities and operations leadership, and he looks forward to using that experience to help make downtown Spokane a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful place to live, work, and play.
He and his wife are new empty-nesters with both of their sons now in college. They enjoy traveling and exploring new places, and love spending time on the water. In fact, Paul is a former jet-ski racer and competitive barefoot water skier. Both he and his wife love hockey and plan on going to as many Spokane Chiefs games as possible!
- Public Safety & Hospitality
- Beautification & Cleanliness
- Placemaking & Public Space Improvements
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Elisabeth Hooker
Vice President of Marketing & Programming
ContactElisabeth Hooker is the Marketing and Programming Director for the Downtown Spokane Partnership, where she fosters programs, events, and campaigns to highlight over 800 businesses located within the urban core of the City of Spokane. Elisabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Washington State University and has enjoyed building her career and network in the Inland Northwest.
Prior to joining the DSP in April of 2014, Elisabeth spent a decade at STCU building financial educational curriculum for youth and adults as well as cultivating community giving, programs and volunteerism.
Alongside multiple committees, Elisabeth has served as Co-President of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association, Chaired the Spokane Arts Fund Board and sat on the boards of the Spokane Scholars Foundation, and Women Helping Women Fund of Spokane.
- Advertising and Communications
- Events and Activations
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Rae-Lynn Barden
Director of Policy & Membership
ContactRae-Lynn Barden, raised in Eastern Washington, moved to Spokane for college and has since grown her entire career working in and around downtown.
Rae-Lynn is a two-time graduate of Eastern Washington University, holding a master’s degree in public administration, and an alumna of Leadership Spokane, Class of 2014.
Rae-Lynn, along with her husband and two children, Hudson and Everlee, are enthusiastic supporters of downtown, regularly attending local theater and enjoying family meals at their favorite local restaurant, O'Doherty's.
- DSP Membership
- Public Policy
- Parking Programs
- Parking Advisory Committee
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Brandon Dewey
Special Projects Manager
ContactBrandon recently relocated from Missoula, Montana, where he served as Director of Giving and Program Director at the Downtown Missoula Partnership. His work included managing fundraising, donor development, grant writing, communications, and project management.
Before Missoula, Brandon spent over a decade in public service, gaining broad experience in public administration, which shaped his ability to manage civic and nonprofit operations effectively.
Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending time with his partner and two young children, Carter and Bryar. Together, they explore Riverfront Park, visit the Ice Age Playground, and enjoy feeding the garbage goat.
- Special Projects
- Planning
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Kevin Campbell
Economic Vitality Specialist
ContactKevin comes to Spokane by way of Anchorage, Alaska, where he was born and he raised. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, he returned to Anchorage where he worked for five years as an account executive for a marketing and advertising agency. He is thrilled to be a part of the DSP team and do all he can to make downtown one of the best places to live and play. In his spare time Kevin can be found on the volleyball courts, checking out the latest local brewery, or hiking and running around all of the great outdoors the Inland Northwest has to offer.
- Economic Development
- Ratepayer Relations
- Business and Resource Management
- Communications & Marketing Support
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Celina Van Hyning
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
ContactCelina Van Hyning is the marketing and communications coordinator for the Downtown Spokane Partnership. She works with the rest of the marketing team to highlight the people, places and events that make downtown Spokane so wonderful.
Originally from Post Falls, Idaho, Celina is no stranger to Spokane and its surrounding areas. She lived in the River City until 2017, when she moved to Boise, Idaho. She received a bachelor's degree in media arts from Boise State University in 2020 before moving closer to home.
Prior to joining the DSP, Celina spent nearly five years working in local news in both Spokane and Boise. During her time in news, she worked as a digital reporter and covered some of the most high-profile stories across two different markets. Her work earned her a Regional Edward R. Murrow award in 2023 and a serious feature award from the Idaho Press Club in 2020.
When she's not working, Celina can be found going for long (but slow) walks with her senior pup, Leah, binge watching reality TV and stand-up comedy specials or checking out new restaurants and coffee shops with her friends.
- Communications
- Marketing & Promotions
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Mariana Redder
Accounting & Administrative Associate
ContactMari is from Spokane and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Eastern Washington University where she learned to speak Spanish fluently, but now seeks more opportunities to practice. Her favorite aspects of working for the DSP include her co-workers and the opportunity to explore and contribute to a variety of facets of downtown Spokane. She particularly enjoys River Park Square, and her favorite event is Hoopfest. In her spare time, she loves discovering quiet spots to take her dogs for walks and swims.
- Office Administration
- Maintaining Member and Ratepayer Databases
- Accounting Assistance
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Kimberlee Pekrul
Administrative Services Coordinator
ContactKimberlee grew up in the scenic mountains of Chugiak, Alaska, near Anchorage, where she developed a love for the outdoors through hiking, biking, and skiing. In high school, she performed with her choir at the Heritage Music Festival of Gold at Riverside Cathedral, where the mixed group earned gold and received a special invitation to the Carnegie Hall Festival. Later, she moved to Washington, presenting her artwork at Eastern Washington University's Symposium in 2019.
Over the years, Kimberlee has worked as a substitute teacher and paraeducator, as well as a leasing professional for some of Spokane's largest rental properties. With travels to five countries and a bit of Spanish under her belt, she brings a love for new experiences to her role.
You'll often spot her at various downtown Spokane events or enjoying car shows with her boyfriend and Goldendoodle.
- Administrative Services
- Event Assistance