Conversations with the Inspiring Bianca Fisher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Fisher.

Bianca, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have a confession– the first time I drove to Greeley, ready to start my sophomore year as a transfer student to the University of Northern Colorado, I cried. I had never been to Greeley (mostly growing up south of Denver) and the moment I arrived, I was unsure of the decision I made and thusly decided that as soon as I had my diploma in hand, I would move on to a bigger, better city. The irony? That was 12 years ago. Greeley has a way about it that is sometimes hard to pinpoint, but I’m continually taken aback by the rich, diverse community, the small (big) feel, the approachability, and the genuine sense of place. But one thing that stands out is that in Greeley, people can participate in making our city better and genuinely work together to that end.

Just over ten years ago, I began working at the Downtown Development Authority without much understanding of the role and function of a DDA but excited at the prospect of helping bring life to the downtown core. The DDA is a small organization of just four employees and I began my tenure as the part-time Administrative Assistant, quickly moved into a full-time Project Coordinator role, served as the Associate Director for seven years after that, and finally took on the role of Executive Director in January of this year. To say Downtown Greeley had changed over these past 10 years is an understatement. Because of the work we do at the DDA, in conjunction with small businesses, community partners, investors and developers, volunteers, downtown supporters, we have seen a transformation in Downtown Greeley. Businesses are doing well and expanding, a new hotel and conference center has been built, events are wildly successful, public art is flourishing, buildings are being renovated, new residential is under construction, and future plans for growth are in motion. All the progress aside, the absolute best part of my job is the palpable sense of excitement and ownership of our downtown community. It’s truly humbling to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself.

Has it been a smooth road?
My journey to a professional career was and is not without its challenges. For starters, my parents had never pursued higher education and I was the only one out of my four siblings to pursue and obtain (and pay for!) my bachelor’s degree. I don’t say that to overstate my abilities or diminish theirs – they each have unbelievable skills and talents I only wish I could possess—but choosing to pursue higher education was a big step for me that ultimately plays into where I am today and it was not a path that had been paved for me. Since starting my professional life at the DDA, there have been several professional challenges, many of which have become learning opportunities, especially as it relates to learning new information, navigating politically charged situations, interpersonal work relationships, among others. But to be completely honest, the biggest personal struggle I face is the sense that I am not enough. I love that I get to the lead the DDA—but I am also a mom of two awesome kids, wife to a small business owner, a member on two non-profit boards, a student pursuing a Masters, a daughter, a friend. And while I enjoy each of these things and feel that I usually can strike a good balance, the feeling that I should/could/want to be better is a tough one to contend with. My advice to myself—and anyone else struggling with this—is this: You are enough. No more, no less. Pursue the things that bring meaning to your life and shake off the things that don’t.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Greeley Downtown Development Authority story. Tell us more about it.
In my role as the Executive Director of the Greeley DDA, in addition to overseeing a staff of three, my primary areas of focus are overseeing public realm projects, and anything related to economic development. Projects that fall under the public realm include art installations (murals, sculptures, etc.), year-round tree lighting, streetscape design, façade grants for businesses, seasonal planters, maintenance, and safety. As for economic development, I assist small businesses who hope to open downtown, work with owners who are renovating their buildings, partner with private developers to build first-class redevelopment projects, and act as a liaison to the community for all things related to Downtown Greeley.

What I am most proud of as an organization is that we have been able to build up the core of our city through positive messaging, engaging events and strong business support. For a long time, Downtown Greeley suffered from stigmas of being unsafe, a place where nothing happened, and no one went. And now, again not just because of the work that we do but because of the village of people and partners, Downtown Greeley has extremely low vacancy rates, strong business growth, new development, and a positive reputation not only in Greeley but outside of it as well. The thing that sets us apart is that we aren’t trying to be anyone else—we aren’t Downtown Fort Collins or Boulder or Denver—we have embraced who we are and what we have to offer. We are a fun, vibrant community that is a welcoming gathering space for everyone.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Great question! It sounds like an oxymoron but I think the biggest barrier to female leadership is that there is not a lot of female leadership. What I mean is that there are not many peers or role models for professional females to work with, learn from, and lean on. More often than not, when I am in a room of developers or business professionals or civic leaders, I am largely in the minority as a woman—and doubly so because I am a younger woman (33). The other challenge for female leaders who are also mothers is that reliable childcare can often be difficult to secure. I was fortunate enough to have our two children at in-home daycare with four other kids, but I have heard from other working moms that finding childcare is not only challenging but sometimes costly enough that it does not make it worthwhile for them to work. The other thought I have around the challenge of working mothers is overcoming the stigma that you are being forced to work out of financial obligation or else you should not be a working mother if you have the option to stay at home. I do think this perception is shifting and I applaud organizations that make it easier for women who choose to have children by providing fair maternity (and paternity!) leave time, options to pump at work, schedule flexibility, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.greeleydowntown.com
• Phone: (970) 356-6775
• Email: bianca@greeleydowntown.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DowntownGreeley

Image Credit:
Greeley Downtown Development Authority

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