Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) is proud to announce the hire of Stephanie Wong as project specialist. Ms. Wong will work to support the implementation of the GR Forward plan and city building efforts in Downtown.

Ms. Wong previously served as project coordinator for the San Jose Downtown Association and as planning assistant in the Denver Parks & Recreation Department.

"We are very excited to have Stephanie join the DGRI team," DGRI Vice President Tim Kelly said. "Her experience in other cities and passion for working to build great urban neighborhoods is a welcome new asset for our work and the entire Grand Rapids community."

In her new role as project specialist, Ms. Wong will support DGRI's efforts to increase activity in public spaces and expand mobility options.

DGRI is the organization responsible for city building and place-management in the City of Grand Rapids' urban core. Established in 2013, DGRI serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority.

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Ms. Wong brings the number of team members to 32 - 21 Downtown Ambassadors and 11 DGRI staff - leading the DGRI operation. DGRI aspires to build an organizational staff and leadership network that reflects the diversity of Grand Rapids. DGRI's staff is now composed as follows:

Gender

  • 50% male (49% citywide)
  • 50% female (51% citywide)

Race

  • 69% white (59% citywide)
  • 16% black (21% citywide)
  • 6% Hispanic/Latino (16% citywide)
  • 6% Asian (2% citywide)
  • 3% Indonesian

Age

  • 3% Under 20
  • 19% 20-24
  • 40% 25-34
  • 19% 35-44
  • 19% 45-54

Residence

  • 81% live in the City of Grand Rapids
  • 19% live outside of Grand Rapids