Downtown Topeka Inc. is proud to announce the selection of Andrew Holt as its next President. Holt brings more than a decade of experience in downtown development, strategic leadership, and community engagement to the position, most recently serving as Executive Director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. since 2023.
Prior to his work in Lawrence, Holt led the Downtown Association of Yakima, Washington for six years, and served as Director of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce in Dayton, Washington. He will officially step into the role on July 9, 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Holt to the helm of Downtown Topeka Inc.,” said Sean Dixon, Interim President of Downtown Topeka Inc. and President of Visit Topeka. “With more than $500 million in new development over the past decade and major projects like the Water Tower Apartments, renovations to Constitution Hall, the KDHE and Docking Buildings, the new Link Innovation Labs, and the KBI Headquarters, downtown Topeka is at an incredibly exciting point in its trajectory. Andrew’s proven track record of building strong downtowns makes him a perfect fit to carry our momentum forward.”
Downtown Topeka Inc. is one of four founding members of the Greater Topeka Partnership, working alongside Visit Topeka, GO Topeka, and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.
“Andrew Holt brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to make downtowns thrive,” said Stephanie Moran, Interim CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “The revitalization of Downtown Topeka has been a critical pillar of our Momentum 2027 strategy — with work advancing to redevelop our historic riverfront, Andrew’s leadership will play a vital role in continuing that progress. We’re excited to welcome him at a moment when Topeka is poised for new growth.”
The search for Holt was led by Winner Partners, a national executive recruitment firm specializing in public-private leadership roles. “Andrew emerged as a strong candidate to lead Downtown Topeka Inc. with his proven ability to drive impact, build strong partnerships, and energize a community vision,” stated Tina Winner, managing partner for Winner Partners, “Through a national search, Andrew stood out for his blend of strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and deep understanding of place-based economic development.”
Holt’s selection was also met with enthusiasm by the Downtown Topeka Inc. Board of Directors. “As incoming Board Chair, I’m excited to welcome Andrew and work with him to advance the vision for downtown,” said Abby Lear, Incoming Chair of Downtown Topeka Inc. “His understanding of what makes a downtown vibrant, inclusive, and economically strong will be a tremendous asset to our team and our community.”
Holt said he is eager to get to work. “I’m honored to join Downtown Topeka Inc. at such a pivotal moment,” Holt said. “Downtown Topeka has already shown what’s possible when a city invests in its core. I look forward to working with local businesses, civic leaders, and the broader community to continue that progress and build an even more dynamic future.”