The International Downtown Association selected 30 industry professionals for the 2023 Emerging Leader Fellowship program in July, including Glendale’s downtown manager.

Glendale’s Daniel Sabillon was tabbed to participate in the week-long experiential program after a selective process. Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leader Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are sought-after leaders for the future of city building.

“This is the only program of its kind created specifically for urban place management professionals,” David Downey, president and CEO of IDA, shared in a statement. “IDA is looking to further illustrate the importance of our industry by elevating leaders with the necessary skills to champion inclusive city building.”

In July 2022 Sabillon was named Glendale’s inaugural downtown manager. In his role he leads development and redevelopment activities in Historic Downtown Glendale while continuing to maintain relationships with merchants, landowners, residents, regional stakeholders and other partners to facilitate development and business attraction.

The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a week-long experiential program bringing together a cohort of IDA professionals from within the urban district management industry. The fellows learn essential leadership and place management skills and gain practical tools in the areas of place-based economic development, the live-work-play experience, and public-private partnerships.

“It is an honor to have been selected for this prestigious fellowship program,” Sabillon stated. "I look forward to participating and collaborating with industry leaders who are driving redevelopment in urban centers and creating new opportunities for their communities."

The program takes place June 4-9 in New York City. The event takes place at various locations throughout Manhattan.