LEADERSHIP
President & CEO
Betsy Brennan is the President & CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown’s urban neighborhoods. Brennan leads the organization’s staff of more than 100 to provide a broad spectrum of services to benefit Downtown. These include providing a quality membership program to more than 300 individuals and stakeholder organizations, conducting successful advocacy in service of the organization’s mission, telling the story of the market as an ideal place for investment and growth, and providing excellent enhanced services to make 275 blocks of Downtown more clean and safe. Since 2018, Brennan has brought her background in leadership at the City of San Diego, community-serving nonprofits, and educational institutions to the benefit and growth of the organization, helping it gain new relevancy as a critical piece of the bright future of the San Diego region.
Brennan earned her Juris Doctor, with a specialization in land use, at the University of San Diego (2003) and serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations in San Diego County as well as the board for the International Downtown Association. In 2022 she was recognized as CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal.
Chief Operations Officer
& Executive Vice
President
As Chief Operations Officer, Justin leads the day-to-day operations of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, where he drives future growth and strategy for the organization of more than 100 employees. Justin obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin-Wallace College with a major in International Business. He went on to attend Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he obtained his master’s degree in Intercultural Relations with a concentration in Training and Consulting. Justin has a proven track record of stabilizing, systemizing, and growing businesses. He was a founding member and Chief Operating Officer of Mission Edge, one of the largest management consulting organizations for social enterprises and nonprofits in San Diego. He has served as an executive coach for local leaders, board strategist and startup specialist. Justin has also served in other operations and finance leadership roles, and as a human resource and operations consultant for event planning companies and restaurants. His community involvement includes board leadership at local nonprofits such as Community HousingWorks, The AjA Project and the Columbia Community Foundation. Justin and his partner, JC, enjoy the theatre scene in San Diego, all the hiking opportunities our region offers and trying new restaurants in San Diego’s growing culinary space.
Senior Vice President &
Executive Director
Clean & Safe
As Executive Director of the Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean & Safe program, Alonso oversees one of the largest Property and Business Improvement Districts in the country servicing over 275 city blocks with an annual budget of 12 million dollars. The program employs more than 120 full-time employees who provide enhanced public services 24 hours a day, seven days a week above those offered by the City of San Diego. Alonso first joined the Downtown Partnership in 2005 as a Safety Ambassador. He quickly moved up the ranks and was promoted to Executive Director in 2016 where he learned the value of frontline staff and their crucial part in keeping Downtown San Diego clean and safe. In his current role, Alonso enjoys working with residents, business owners, and Clean & Safe staff to find creative ways to improve Downtown San Diego. During his off time, he enjoys spending quality time with his three daughters and wife.
Vice President of
People & Culture
April Hill is the Vice President of People & Culture at the Downtown San Diego Partnership where she serves as the top people leader responsible for the vision, strategy, development, and execution of organizational effectiveness, talent, and culture management programs aimed at advancing the mission and enhancing organizational results. April has 10+ years of human resources and managerial experience, and specializes in employee engagement, development, and training. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Tennessee State University and her Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Management from Argosy University. April has a passion for community and serves as committee chair for two nonprofits where she has an enormous impact on the youth. In April’s spare time she loves to travel and explore new beaches around the world.
Vice President of
Philanthropy
As Vice President of Philanthropy, Josh leads a team that elevates the mission and vision of the Downtown San Diego Partnership by cultivating and maintaining critical relationships to advance transformative policies and projects. Josh received his undergraduate degree from Niagara University and his master’s degree from Canisius College. Additionally, Josh is a graduate of the San Diego Leadership Alliance and a current board member for San Diego LGBT Pride. For self-care, Josh and his partner John enjoy traveling, walking their rescue dog Lucy along the beach, and enjoying a glass (or two!) of wine.
Vice President of Marketing
& Communications
Sarah oversees the Marketing & Communications department for the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Her responsibilities include connecting residents, businesses and stakeholders to the DSDP’s stories of impact, advocacy and growth, showcasing DSDP marketing initiatives and campaigns, and managing the development of creative assets to promote Downtown’s prominence in the region. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego. With her combined history in both public service and public relations she brings a strong background in communications, marketing and government to the DSDP. She is a graduate of the LEAD Impact program and spends her spare time performing with a local choir.
THE DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO PARTNERSHIP TEAM
Senior Director of
Economic Development
Director of Safety Services
Clean & Safe
Director of Maintenance
Services
Clean & Safe
Director of Shelter
Operations
Director of Business
Engagement
Director of Investor
Relations & Events
Director of Unhoused
care team
Operations Manager
Clean & Safe
Marketing &
Communications
Manager
Senior Contract
& Grants Analyst
People Operations
Manager
Controller
Public Affairs
Manager
USS Site coordinator
Executive
Administrator
Marketing Designer
Financial Accountant
Data and Operations
Specialist
Events & Programs Manager
Office Coordinator
Clean & Safe
People Operations
Coordinator
Mark Comm
Coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
ProgramS Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Program Manager Shelter
Operations
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Lead Operations Coordinator
Family Reunification
Program Lead Coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Housing Placement
Coordinator
Family Reunification
Program Coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
Lead Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
case manager
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Operations Coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Lead Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Case Manager
Unhoused Care Team
Data Operations coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
Family Reunification Program
Coordinator
Unhoused Care Team
Operations Coordinator
senior Supervisor
Clean & Safe
Senior Supervisor
Clean & Safe
Operations graveyard
Supervisor Clean & Safe
Operations Swing Shift
Supervisor Clean & Safe
Operations graveyard
Supervisor Clean & Safe
Operations Swing Shift
Supervisor Clean & Safe
Operations Dispatcher
Clean & Safe
Operations Dispatcher
Clean & Safe
Maintenance Ambassador
Lead Clean & Safe
Maintenance Ambassador
Lead Clean & Safe
Maintenance Ambassador
Lead Clean & Safe
Landscaping Lead
Operations Specialist
Clean & Safe