The Douglas Design District is pleased to announce that we have hired Renee Duxler as our Executive Director for our non-profit civic organization. Duxler will run day-to-day operations for the District, and is also charged with increasing community engagement, attracting new business and industry, and advancing exploration into a possible application as a Business Improvement District. The Douglas Design District has never had an Executive Director since it’s inception in 2007; the DDD has been run by an all-volunteer Board, as well as contract workers from time to time.
“It’s a pretty big step for us, but quite frankly long overdue,” Bill Jackson, founder of the District, and CEO of Transitions Group, said, “We have grown exponentially over the last five years and it was time to invest in this position. We’re all very excited about what this means for our members, as well as our community as a whole.”
Duxler has been a Board member with the Douglas Design District over the last several years, but resigned her position in November when she closed her business, Aerial, within the District. Duxler has previous experience as an administrator for non-profit organizations, and also helped co-chair the 2020 Vision campaign for the District that secured over $25,000 in investments, as well as a two-year $84,500 grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation. As a small business owner and former social worker, Duxler has a unique skill set that she believes will serve the District well.
“Our overall mission is to create a commercial district where local businesses can thrive, and contribute to the development and prosperity of our local economy,” Duxler said, “Peripherally however, that means we’re focused on community engagement and ownership, multi-modal transportation options, creative partnerships, and beautification efforts that are crucial to fulfilling that mission. I’m beyond ecstatic to be chosen to continue to lead these efforts.”
The Douglas Design District is a non-profit civic organization and neighborhood, with over 300 locally owned businesses, including 100 member businesses, who are dedicated to pursuing and promoting our ‘corridor of creativity.’ Founded in authenticity and steeped in old-time tradition, the Douglas Design District is full to the brim with electricity. Shop, Live, and Dine… By Design.
Photo by Kacy Meinecke Photography